As many as two in five El Paso County children enrolled in child care programs lack state-required immunizations to prevent potentially life-threatening diseases.

That's why Rachel Jervis, a communicable disease epidemiologist, says kids in child care settings are at unique risk for the spread of infectious diseases. Jervis attributes the greater risk to the relaxed hygiene habits of children, meaning the exposure and spread of germs is commonplace in child care facilities.

The El Paso County health department inspects some 400 child care facilities or programs throughout the county — including child care centers, preschools and camps. In 2006 and 2007, the health department investigated three gastrointestinal outbreaks involving child care centers.

Health officials say illness in these setting is often caused by germ exposure through a number of avenues:

1) Age mixing, 2) close and sustained physical contact between children, 3) weaker immune systems (infants), 4) lack of proper hand washing, and 5) coughs and sneezes, among other possibilities.

Children are also possibly exposed without their knowing it.
Contaminated surfaces such as table tops, toys, sinks, faucets and other surfaces. Children touch these surfaces and then touch their mouth, eyes or nose.

Staff at the child care facility can also spread germs to children if they are coughing or sneezing or if they do not wash their hands thoroughly—especially after handling diapers, wiping noses or cleaning up messes.

Common infectious diseases that are spread in child care settings include colds and the flu, ringworm, lice, chickenpox, strep throat and whooping cough.

There are some prevention techniques that health officials recommend.

Rahel Jervis tells us that something as simple as teaching children to carefully wash their hands after germ-heavy activities can prevent many illnesses. Jervis says kids should wash their hands when they arrive in child care and when they leave for home.

Another technique recommended is showing your children how to cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.

Also, keep your children home if they are sick. That includes when your child has high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, uncontrolled coughing or drooling. For some infectious diseases there is a State Health Department requirement that a child be kept at home, such as with chickenpox. Finally, keep your children up-to-date on immunizations.

For more information on healthy trends for your children or information about inspections at child care facilities, you can visit the El Paso County health department's website by clicking on the link below.