Now that fall has officially begun and flu season approaches, families are being reminded to take simple steps to help prevent the spread of illness.
Dr. Ashok Chhetri, a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), says a variety of viruses can circulate among children throughout the year, with young children often experiencing several colds as their immune systems continue to develop.
“The common cold is a term that can be caused by a wide variety of viruses,” Chhetri said.
Illnesses commonly seen among school and daycare populations include norovirus, strep throat, hand, foot and mouth disease and pink eye.
Chhetri reminds families to reinforce basic hygiene habits with children.
“Handwashing is a very simple thing, but it’s a very powerful thing,” he said, adding that children should wash their hands before eating and at other appropriate times.
Children should also be taught to cough or sneeze into their elbows rather than their hands, while avoiding sharing personal items such as water bottles, cups, hats and hairbrushes.
At home, Chhetri recommends regularly wiping down high-touch surfaces and making sure children are getting enough sleep.
“Sleep is a very powerful medicine,” he said. “A well-rested immune system can handle lots of exposure better.”
Knowing when to stay home
Parents may also be wondering when a child should stay home from school.
Chhetri says children with a fever or those who are too unwell to participate in their normal activities should remain home.
For children with a fever, he recommends they be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
Children experiencing vomiting or diarrhea should stay home until their symptoms have resolved and they are back to eating and drinking normally.
A runny nose on its own, without a fever, generally does not mean a child needs to stay home.
Some illnesses have more specific exclusion periods. For measles, for example, children should generally remain out of school for four days after the rash appears.
Immunizations remain important
As flu season approaches, families are encouraged to make sure their children’s routine vaccinations are up to date.
Chhetri says measles vaccination is not required for children to attend school in Saskatchewan, but strongly encourages families to ensure children receive their recommended doses.
The measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine is given beginning at one year of age, followed by a second dose.
Chhetri points to Saskatchewan’s measles outbreak last year as a reminder of the importance of immunization.
“We have seen over 130 cases of measles in Saskatchewan last year,” he said.
He says more than 90 per cent of the cases were among unvaccinated people, while more than half involved school-aged children.
“Measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are really, really safe,” Chhetri said. “These vaccines are going to protect you and others from getting this.”
While many people recover from measles, Chhetri says the disease can cause serious complications, including long-term neurological problems and, in some cases, death.
Routine immunizations are also provided through the school system. Grade 6 students receive vaccines for hepatitis B and HPV, while Grade 8 students receive Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough, as well as meningococcal disease.
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Flu season typically begins in November and lasts until March, however, it can fluctuate. The SHA’s Fall Immunization Program will begin in the coming weeks.
Influenza vaccine is recommended annually for everyone six months and older, with the vaccine typically becoming available in September and October.
Chhetri says Saskatchewan had a difficult flu season last year, with more than 8,000 laboratory-reported cases. Only about 22 per cent of Saskatchewan residents received a flu vaccine last season.
“I particularly encourage the flu vaccine, which is recommended annually for everyone six months and older,” he said.
While it is impossible to predict exactly what the upcoming flu season will look like, Chhetri says vaccination remains an important tool for reducing the spread and severity of influenza.
A version of this article was originally published on Sept. 2, 2026