New Semester Infection Alert :: How to Protect Your Child from Infectious Diseases, Handwashing, Vaccinations, Mask Wearing, and More

Every new semester brings new infectious diseases, so it’s an emergency. Are you ready to keep your child healthy?

Hello, this is Merry Plastic Surgery Clinic, a place that is always a pleasure to meet.

With spring in full bloom, children have also started the new semester. The joy of being with new friends lasts only a moment, and these days the biggest concern heard among parents is “group outbreaks of infectious diseases.”

They have a fever again.

It looks like bronchitis.

It seems like they caught it at school.

Have you heard stories like children getting sick after going to school or daycare?

I am a doctor at the Slow Aging Center, but I am also a mother raising a child. So at times like this, I want to strongly emphasize infection prevention not only for my patients, but also for my own child.

Infectious diseases that return every new semester

In March 2024, as the new semester began, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an “acute respiratory infectious disease advisory.” An official press release was also issued stating that “acute respiratory infectious diseases” were occurring in clusters at daycare centers and elementary schools.

A sample survey of 110 hospitals nationwide found that the number of patients visiting hospitals for respiratory illnesses increased by nearly 40% compared with the previous year.

Source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency / Ministry of Health and Welfare

In particular, influenza, COVID-19, RSV, adenovirus, and other viruses are all spreading at the same time these days, so children and people with weak immunity are having a hard time.

When one child is infected, it often spreads to siblings and parents as well. Since they have to miss school or work for several days, it affects not only learning gaps but also family health and daily life. My family was no exception either, and after my child got bronchitis, everyone at home took turns getting sick. Because of that, we had to postpone important schedules, and it was very difficult to care for a child while sick myself.

The key to preventing infection is “vaccination & hygiene management”

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends the following preventive measures:

1. Get vaccinated on time

Vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, meningococcal disease, and others are the first step in preventing the spread of infection.

This is especially important for families with children in kindergarten through elementary school.

2. Thoroughly follow personal hygiene practices such as handwashing and wearing a mask

Wash your hands after going out, and wear a mask in crowded places.

3. Create a well-ventilated environment

If air does not circulate well, viruses remain in the air longer.

Source: Immunization Helper

Source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, At a Glance on Infectious Diseases // Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Major Infectious Disease Statistics, report dated April 3, 2025

📝Checklist to protect your child’s health📝

[ ] Has your child received the flu vaccine every year?

[ ] Have the age-based nationally recommended vaccinations been given on schedule?

[ ] Has your child been well taught handwashing and cough etiquette?

[ ] When sick, resting 충분히 at home is the most important preventive measure.

If you have a child attending daycare, kindergarten, or elementary school, a family member with weak immunity, or if you have recently traveled abroad or frequently use public transportation, extra caution is needed.

If this post was helpful, please feel free to share your experience in the comments, and if you have any questions, I recommend consulting a nearby clinic or hospital with a specialist😊 If you add us as a mutual neighbor, we’ll continue to share useful health information with you.

This has been Merry Plastic Surgery Clinic, always a pleasure to meet.

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References

• News1 report: Increase in infectious diseases with the new semester

• Dailian report: Surge in influenza patients

• KDCA vaccination information