Kids are really the germiest members of the household.
In case you didn’t know that from experience, new research published in the journal Pediatrics confirmed that respiratory viruses circulate frequently in school settings, and younger children are more likely to carry these viruses and become ill.
But why are younger children more likely to catch and spread infections? What does this mean for schools and households as we head into peak respiratory virus season, with relatives of all ages hugging and spreading those germs around? There must be something we can do now to help prevent illness.
Sharing toys are among the habits children have that make it easier for viruses to spread. Manu Vega/Moment RF/Getty Images
To help answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner. She also has two kids in elementary school, so she’s dealt with her share of germs outside of work.
CNN: What did the study find about how we spread viruses?
Dr. Leana Wen: This study is one of the most detailed analyses of how respiratory viruses circulate in schools.
Continue Reading on CNN
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.