For most school-aged households, the return to school and routine is likely to mean a wave of sniffles will hit British households as almost two thirds (65 per cent) of parents are expecting their children to be sent home from school due to illness within the first month.

A study of 1,000 parents of school aged children found 60 per cent of parents revealed that their children have taken between one and five days off school within the first month. As a result, over half (55 per cent) of parents are dreading their children going back to school as they expect them to come home with a new bug or illness.

A further one in five (21 per cent) parents say they have previously caught a cold from their child within the first few weeks of going back to school. And nearly half (48 per cent) expect two or three members of the family to also suffer with the dreaded ‘domino cold’ as the rest of the family catch it from the school aged child.

(Image: Olbas)

The study was commissioned by Olbas, who has teamed up with leading family GP, Dr Roger Henderson to help families prepare for the inevitable back to school sniffle season:

“Siblings may be more prone to catching something off their brother or sister if they play together, share toys or sleep in the same room. This means that two or more children may have colds and sniffles at the same time which can have implications for the parents if one becomes unwell and has to stay at home, with the parent taking time off work to look after them. Children in a family may then get into a ‘rolling roadblock’ or ‘domino effect’ of repeated colds being passed between them over many weeks.”

Understandably, when a bug spreads around the family, it can cause disruption to normal routines. With 42 per cent of parents confirming that they have had to take time off work in the past to look after children in September. In preparation, many parents are already adjusting schedules (15 per cent) and planning childcare options (15 per cent) for when their children are ill across the ‘back to school’ period.

Preparation is essential to minimise impact and help to keep the family on the road and in school. Many parents are implementing wellness measures to help across this period with 34 per cent making sure their children are following good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of illness, 30 per cent boosting health with vitamins across this period and 29 per cent taking extra precautions to keep the home sanitised and free from germs.

(Image: Olbas)

Dr Roger Henderson, advises: “It is certainly the case that many children seem to get colds and sniffles in the week following their return to school after a holiday. Handwashing remains the most important way to reduce the spread of colds so parents and carers should always wash their hands after coughing, sneezing or wiping their nose, and after being in direct contact with someone who has a cold.

"And should a cold strike, it’s important to ensure they can rest, eat well, keep hydrated and treat symptoms that help to make them feel more comfortable, such as a decongestant oil or inhaler to ease congestion and that blocked up feeling.”

Speaking of the research, Olbas' Rachel Anthony commented: “As the UK’s children return to classrooms, our new insight reveals that getting the kids ‘back to school’ isn’t always plain sailing and without the right level of preparation can be quite disruptive to settling back into a normal family routine after the fun of the summer holidays. For many parents being prepared for the inevitable sniffles, colds and illnesses will help to ease the impact on the rest of the family. So, get the school shoes polished, school bags packed, and the medicine cabinet stocked.”

For more information visit: www.olbas.co.uk/help-and-advice