Question: Are day care centers a health risk for children?
Answer: Day care centers do pose some degree of an increased health risk for children because of the exposure to other children who may be sick.
The risk for respiratory infections (URI), ear infections, and diarrhea are greatest at day care centers. Some studies have tried to link asthma to daycare. Other studies suggest that being exposed to all the germs in daycare actually IMPROVES your child's immune system.
Teach your child to wash his or her hands before eating and after using the toilet. Infection is spread the most by children putting dirty toys in their mouths, so check your daycare's cleaning practices. Keep your own children home if they are sick.
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