Back-to-school means new routines, new activities—and plenty of new germs! Colds, flu, stomach viruses, strep throat and other infections often increase once children return to classrooms.

At Julie Tomberlin MD PA, Mansfield pediatrician Julie Tomberlin, MD, and her excellent nurse practitioners partner with families to prevent illness, support healthy immune function and help kids get back to feeling their best.

Start With the Foundations

Before reaching for supplements, focus on three things with strong evidence for overall health: sleep, physical activity and good nutrition.

Recommended sleep varies by age:

• Ages 1–2: 11–14 hours per 24 hours, including naps
• Ages 3–5: 10–13 hours, including naps
• Ages 6–12: 9–12 hours nightly
• Ages 13–18: 8–10 hours nightly

Preschoolers should be active throughout the day. Children and teens ages 6–17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.

What About Supplements?

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for normal immune function. Supplementation is most useful when dietary intake or vitamin D levels are inadequate; more is not necessarily better.

Vitamin C: It doesn't appear to prevent colds in most children. However, taking vitamin C regularly may modestly shorten a cold—research has found about a 14% reduction in cold duration in children. Starting it only after symptoms appear has not consistently helped.

Zinc: Zinc is essential for immune function. Some evidence suggests zinc taken early in a cold may shorten its duration, but much of the research is in adults, and excessive zinc can cause adverse effects.

Probiotics: Certain strains may modestly reduce respiratory infections or their duration, but probiotic effects are strain-specific, and evidence remains variable.

Supplements aren't a substitute for a balanced diet, adequate sleep, exercise or recommended vaccines, and children's needs vary.

Frequent handwashing, good hydration and keeping sick children home when appropriate can also help limit the spread of back-to-school illnesses.

If your child is struggling with frequent illnesses or you have questions about nutrition, supplements or immune health, we're happy to help.

Looking for a Mansfield pediatrician? Call Julie Tomberlin MD PA today at 682-518-8111 to schedule with Julie Tomberlin, MD or one of her excellent nurse practitioners.