Sharing is caring. But sharing viruses? Not so much.
So, what’s a parent to do about the petri dish we call school? Kids spend hours together in classrooms, cafeterias, buses, playgrounds and other shared spaces. They touch the same surfaces, share supplies and– let’s be honest – aren't always great about keeping their hands away from their faces.
Some illnesses also spread before symptoms are obvious, which means a child can unknowingly pass an infection to classmates. And once a virus makes its way home, it can quickly move through the rest of the household.
While you can’t control every cold, cough or stomach bug, there are steps you can take to help reduce your family’s risk of getting sick – and spreading unwanted viruses to others.
What are the most common back-to-school viruses?
From sniffles to stomach bugs, some viruses are especially common among school-age kids, including:
- Common cold: This classic school-year illness has all the familiar markers – runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, mild cough and sore throat. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause.
- Influenza (flu): Flu tends to come on more suddenly than a common cold and can cause fever, chills, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headache and fatigue.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can sometimes lead to more serious illness – particularly in infants and young children. Learn more about RSV and what parents should look for.
- COVID-19: Been there, done that, still around. COVID-19 can cause fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue and headache. Symptoms can range from mild to serious.
- Stomach bugs (viral gastroenteritis): Vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps can sweep through a classroom fast.
- Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD): Caused by viruses called enteroviruses, HFMD spreads easily among young children and can cause fever, sore throat, mouth sores and a rash on the hands and feet.
Under the category of “not always viral,” pink eye is another common illness among the school-age set. Pink eye can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies or irritation and can cause red, watery or goopy eyes. Learn more about pink eye.
What’s the outlook for 2026? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rhinovirus and enterovirus activity is increasing nationally as the school year gets underway. Meanwhile, COVID-19 activity is also increasing, while flu activity remains low and RSV activity is very low in most parts of the country. Respiratory viruses typically pick up as fall and winter approach.
Are there any illnesses parents should be especially aware of this school year?
Along with the usual viral suspects making the rounds, there’s another illness parents should have on their radar this school year: measles.
This highly contagious virus has seen increased activity in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere in the United States.
- Know the signs: Measles typically starts with fever, cough and a runny nose, followed by red, watery eyes and a rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward.
- Prevention 101: The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. Making sure your child is up to date on recommended vaccinations can help protect them – and others.
If your child develops measles symptoms, call your health care provider or Indigo Urgent Care before visiting in person.
Measles by the numbers:
- The Washington State Department of Health reported 55 cases as of August 13, 2026. Of those, 28 were children ages 5-17. Nearly all cases were in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
- The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has reported measles cases in the state this year, including an outbreak in southwest Idaho.
How can I prevent back-to-school illness?
A few everyday habits can help reduce the spread of viruses and other illnesses:
- Wash hands often: Encourage kids to wash their hands with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose.
- Keep hands away from faces: Eyes, noses and mouths are easy entry points for germs.
- Cover coughs and sneezes: Teach kids to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow rather than their hands.
- Don’t share personal items: Water bottles, utensils and other items that touch the mouth can spread germs.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces: Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces at home can help reduce the spread of germs, particularly when someone in the household is sick.
- Stay home when sick: Keeping them home can help them recover and reduce the chance of spreading illness to others.
- Stay up to date on vaccines: Routine immunizations can help protect children from several serious and contagious illnesses, including measles and flu.
How does hand-washing prevent illness?
Little hands are frequent flyers. Throughout the day, they travel from desks and doorknobs to playground equipment, phones, lunch tables and just about everything in between, picking up viruses and bacteriaalong the way. Those germs can then make their way into the body when kids touch their eyes, noses or mouths.
Hand washing is one of the simplest ways to help stop germs from spreading. Washing with soap and water helps remove germs from the hands before they have a chance to spread. Encourage your child to scrub their hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to clean the fronts and backs of their hands, between their fingers and under their nails.
Need some kid-friendly hand-washing guidance? The American Academy of Pediatrics offers fun tips on its YouTube channel to help make hand washing a little more engaging.
When should my child stay home from school?
A sick day isn't always an easy ask, especially when it means rearranging work, child care and everything else on the family calendar. But if your child is too sick to comfortably participate in normal activities, staying home gives them time to recover and helps protect classmates, teachers and staff.
In general, consider keeping your child home if they have a fever, are vomiting or have diarrhea, or have symptoms that are getting worse rather than better. Check with your child’s school or child care programfor specific policies for when children can return.
If you’re unsure whether your child needs medical care, an urgent care visit can help you get answers without the guesswork.
Back-to-school bugs happen. Indigo can help.
From stubborn coughs and sore throats to pink eye and stomach bugs, Indigo Urgent Care can help when your child isn’t feeling their best.
We treat most minor illnesses and injuries so your child can get back to feeling like themselves – and you can get your life back on track. Walk in to one of our convenient locations or book a same-day or next-day appointment online. And when leaving home isn’t in the cards, Indigo Virtual Care lets you meetface-to-face with one of our board-certified clinicians from the comfort of home.
In person or virtually, Indigo is here from 8 am to 8 pm every day, including weekends and holidays.
