Germs surround teachers all day at school. Students send and receive colds and illnesses almost as often as they send emails, and you're right in the middle of it. This means you have to take preventative measures to avoid catching all those sicknesses passing through your classroom. Here are a few tips to prevent yourself from getting sick:
Promote hand-washing
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's important to wash your hands with soap and water any time you sneeze or use a tissue. Encourage your students to do the same. When you're really sick and blowing your nose frequently, use a squirt of hand sanitizer instead, as you won't be able to wash your hands every few minutes. Always be sure your classroom has plenty of soap and sanitizer so everyone can do his or her best to prevent spreading germs.
Disinfect your classroom
You can't guarantee little Jimmy is going to wash his hands all the time. To combat the spread of germs and reduce the chances of illness, frequently disinfect your classroom. Use bleach wipes or sanitizing spray on hard surfaces like the area around a sink, countertops and even desks. Make sure to empty waste baskets daily and that no tissues lie around the edges. Disinfect commonly used items like pencil sharpeners, light switches or computer keyboards as well. Consider doing so at the beginning or end of every class day to keep both you and your students healthier.
Take care of yourself
Amy Falcone, a seventh-grade teacher in the Chicago suburbs, told CNN that teachers must remember to sleep, eat healthy and stay balanced to avoid catching classroom bugs. When you're stressed out and running around feverishly trying to get everything done, your immune system takes a hit and you may be more susceptible to colds and other illnesses. Try exercising and eating a nutritious diet, and you may find you take fewer sick days and feel better in general.
Consider supplements
The National Education Association recommended adding extra vitamins to your health routine. Some teachers swear by vitamin C and D, while others take over-the-counter products like Emergen-C or Airborne and say they never get sick, even during the midst of the busy Common Core testing. These supplements can prevent you from becoming ill and may shorten the lifespan of a sickness, but you should speak with your doctor before taking them because they aren't for everyone. It's important to have a healthy diet first, though, as these supplements boost the immune system but only if you add them to an already nutritious diet.
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