Is your child ready for back-to-school? Sure, you’ve bought them new shoes, a new backpack, some new clothes, and school supplies. But are their bodies fully prepared for the onslaught of germs they’ll encounter when they re-join classmates in crowded classrooms?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 22 million school days are lost each year to the common cold alone. Unfortunately, schools are like giant petri dishes when it comes to spreading viruses and harmful bacteria. All it takes is one infected student to sneeze, cough, or touch a shared object (doorknob, table, glue stick) to transmit germs that can make other students sick.

Fight Germs on the Hands First

As a parent, your first line of defense is to teach your kids to wash their hands frequently. This simple habit is so effective in stopping the spread of germs that the CDC and other organizations have launched an international campaign called “Health in Your Hands.” The campaign is rallying support throughout the world for Global Handwashing Day on October 15, 2011.

Of course, soap and water are not always available, so it’s a good idea to send your child back to school with hand sanitizer in his/her backpack. Today you can find non-drying hand sanitizing formulas made with good-smelling herbal extracts packaged in convenient kid-sized bottles.

Stronger Immune Systems Combat Germs

Your second line of defense is to make sure your child’s body can effectively fight off diseases that come their way. Multivitamins containing essential vitamins and minerals come in kid-friendly flavored chewable tablets, liquid formulas, or powders you can mix with liquid for easy assimilation.

You can even find gummy worms containing Omega 3 fatty acids! These berry-flavored chewy worms are said to promote healthy brain and visual development while supporting immunity, memory and learning. And, as your child might say, they’re WAY tastier than fish oil.

- Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor