Back-to-school season brings kids together in classrooms, and that means germs spread fast. In this post, you will learn the most common illnesses during back-to-school season, how to recognize the warning signs, when to keep your child home, and how walk-in care in Spokane, WA can help your family feel better sooner.

Every fall, families across North Spokane deal with a wave of colds, sore throats, and stomach bugs. Understanding what to watch for helps you act quickly and protect your household. At Franklin Park Express Care, we see these seasonal illnesses often, and we are here to help when your child needs care.

What Are the Most Common Back-to-School Illnesses?

When children return to school, close contact and shared supplies create easy paths for germs. Below are the illnesses that show up most during this time of year.

The Common Cold

The common cold is the most frequent back-to-school sickness. Kids average several colds each year, and the numbers climb once classes start. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and mild fatigue. Most colds clear up in a week to ten days with rest and fluids. If symptoms linger or worsen, a visit helps rule out something more serious.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that spreads through coughs, sneezes, and shared items. Watch for a sudden sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, and swollen glands. Unlike a cold, strep does not usually come with a runny nose or cough. A quick strep test confirms the diagnosis, and antibiotics treat it effectively. We offer strep testing at our clinic so you get answers the same day.

Influenza (Flu)

The flu hits harder than a cold and moves through schools quickly. Symptoms include high fever, body aches, chills, headache, and extreme tiredness. The flu can lead to complications in young children, so early treatment matters. A flu shot lowers your risk, and we provide flu shots and flu treatment for the whole family.

Stomach Bugs (Gastroenteritis)

Stomach bugs cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. They spread easily in classrooms and cafeterias where kids touch shared surfaces. Most cases resolve in a few days with rest and hydration. Dehydration is the main concern, especially in younger children. If your child cannot keep fluids down, IV hydration at our clinic restores fluids fast.

RSV and Respiratory Infections

Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, causes cold-like symptoms in most people. In young children it sometimes leads to trouble breathing and wheezing. Watch for fast breathing, poor feeding, and persistent coughing. If your child struggles to breathe, seek care right away.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye causes redness, itching, and discharge in one or both eyes. It spreads fast in classrooms through touch and shared items. Some cases clear on their own, while others need treatment. A quick exam helps you know the cause and the right next step.

COVID-19

COVID-19 still circulates and shares symptoms with colds and the flu. Fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue are common signs. Testing helps you protect classmates and family members. We offer COVID PCR testing so you get accurate results.

Why Do Kids Get Sick So Often at School?

Schools bring large groups of children into close quarters for hours each day. Kids share desks, supplies, and playground equipment. Young immune systems are still developing, so they catch new germs more easily. Frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when sick all reduce the spread. These habits matter most during the first weeks of the school year when illnesses peak.

How Can You Protect Your Child This School Year?

Prevention starts with simple daily habits. Teach your child to wash hands with soap for at least twenty seconds, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Encourage them to avoid touching their face and to cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow. Keep water bottles, backpacks, and lunch containers clean.

A yearly flu shot lowers the risk of the flu and reduces its severity. Balanced meals, regular sleep, and physical activity support a strong immune system. Send your child with hand sanitizer for times when soap and water are not available. These steps will not stop every illness, but they cut the odds and shorten recovery time.

When Should You Keep Your Child Home From School?

Keep your child home if they have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. A temperature of 99.5 is slightly above normal and often does not require staying home, though watch for other symptoms. Keep your child home if they are vomiting, have diarrhea, or show signs of a contagious illness like strep or pink eye.

Return to school once your child is fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and feels well enough to take part in the day. When you are unsure, a quick visit gives you clarity and a plan.

When Should You Visit a Walk-In Clinic in Spokane, WA?

Many back-to-school illnesses improve with rest and fluids at home. Some need medical care. Visit a clinic if your child has a high fever, a sore throat with fever, trouble breathing, signs of dehydration, or symptoms that last more than a few days. Strep throat, the flu, and severe stomach bugs benefit from prompt testing and treatment.

Franklin Park Express Care welcomes patients ages 1 and up for walk-in and urgent care in North Spokane. We offer strep testing, flu treatment, flu shots, COVID PCR testing, and IV hydration under one roof. Our onsite labs and pharmacy mean you get testing, treatment, and medication in a single visit. We are located at 5904 N Division St, open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send my child to school with a temperature of 99.5?

A temperature of 99.5 degrees is slightly above normal and usually not a reason to stay home on its own. Watch for other symptoms like a sore throat, cough, or fatigue. If a fever reaches 100.4 degrees or higher, keep your child home.

What illnesses are going around during back-to-school season?

The most common back-to-school illnesses include the common cold, strep throat, the flu, stomach bugs, RSV, pink eye, and COVID-19. These spread quickly in classrooms during the first weeks of school. Testing at a walk-in clinic helps confirm what your child has.

How long should my child stay home when sick?

Keep your child home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medicine and no longer vomiting or having diarrhea. For strep throat, wait until they have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours. When in doubt, a quick medical visit gives you a clear answer.

Does Franklin Park Express Care treat children?

Yes. Franklin Park Express Care provides urgent and walk-in care for patients ages 1 and up. We treat colds, the flu, strep throat, stomach bugs, and more, with onsite testing and pharmacy services.

Walk In. Get Help. Feel Better.

When back-to-school illnesses hit your family, Franklin Park Express Care is here for you. Our family-owned clinic in North Spokane offers walk-in and urgent care for ages 1 and up, including strep testing, flu treatment, flu shots, COVID PCR testing, and IV hydration. Skip the wait and get compassionate, patient-first care close to home. Visit us at 5904 N Division St in Spokane, WA, or call 509-618-0660 to feel better sooner.