1 Down, 4 to GoAhh, pre-school. That wonderful time in your toddler's life when he leaves the nest, and gives you a break. What's not to like about socializing the little ones while allowing you to work or nap? Your kiddo will be bringing home the most adorable "art" projects, and if you're at an especially fancy pre-school -- a yearbook to remember his time at this perfect, innocent age.
But that's not the only thing these little germ catchers bring home. Unfortunately, you're also going to be in for a lot more of the disgusting once little Johnny goes head-to-head with Timmy. And it will not be nearly as cute as the end-of-year talent show they put on for mom and dad.
Here's what your toddler is likely to catch when she steps into her pre-school:
Lice -- Lice happens, and it's totally horrific. It also takes awhile to get rid of lice on account of the nits (eggs) that have been laid in your tiny baby's hair. You'll freak out, it's guaranteed.
Pinworms -- I had a friend who's little gal caught these from another kid and was faced with massive stomach problems (undiagnosed) for years. It's pretty much the worst.
Pink Eye -- Another one the whole family will be able to enjoy, those itchy, red, oozing eyes go around a classroom faster than a "free candy at recess" rumor.
Ringworm -- Somehow not as awful as pinworms since they don't lay eggs in your child's butt, but still disgusting. Ringworm is a fungal infection that leaves a nice scaly half-circle on your child's skin, or scalp. Attractive!
Scarlet Fever -- I didn't even know this was a "thing" until my daughter caught it from her friend. Apparently it did not go out with spats, and in fact is something that can happen immediately following strep throat. Yet another something you can expect to catch (all of you) as your kids head off to the germ factory.
Disgusting, right? Do yourself a favor, and put your pediatrician on speed dial for the next five years.
Has your child caught any or all of these yet?
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Comments 68
You forgot strep. Strep is uuuuuuugly. We had a 1st grader come to school with it once. Within a week half the first grade class was down, and then it started making the rounds among the teachers and they were dropping like flies. The janitorial staff was sterilizing the building like crazy before the rest of us got it!
No reason to worry really. Kids get sick, it happens.
You forgot rotavirus! Nothing like vomit and diarrhea without end... my son was actually hospitalized with rotavirus when he was about a year old. He couldn't keep anything down, not even water or breast milk, and got so severely dehydrated that he had to be put on an IV drip for hydration.
My personal fave: Hand, Foot and Mouth disease which is something I previously thought only afflicted cattle.
My LO is only 15 months and has had 9 ear infections, pinkeye 5 times, 4 colds, mycoplasma pneumonia along with bronchiolitis, and roseola.
Or you could not send to your kids to preschool thereby protecting them and the rest of your family from early exposure to these illnesses.
Preschool's not the only way to get some of these! Little sis got lice in elementary school, passed to me (in middle school). I was also always getting strep as a kid, until we realized the DOG (Bless her and rest her) was a possible carrier. Dog got treated, I stopped getting strep so much.