As children pour back into classrooms after the summer break, a familiar surge of bugs follows, bringing renewed focus on hygiene habits that protect young students, families and school communities.
As the Australian school year begins, classrooms quickly transform into high-contact environments where shared surfaces, close play and developing immune systems create ideal conditions for germs to spread. While seasonal colds remain part of school life, 2026 brings heightened awareness to a broader mix of viruses and infections that parents and educators need to keep front of mind.
Respiratory illnesses such as influenza and COVID continue to circulate, often spreading before symptoms appear. Gastroenteritis also remains a major concern in early term weeks, with outbreaks capable of sweeping through classrooms within days. Skin infections including impetigo, commonly known as school sores, rise as children return to sport and outdoor play, while head lice continue their stubborn annual resurgence driven by close contact and shared spaces.
These risks place renewed importance on hygiene education that starts at home and carries into the school day, reinforcing habits that reduce transmission and build long-term resilience in young children.
Teaching habits that stick
Parents play a critical role in shaping hygiene behaviours that children carry into the classroom. Handwashing remains the cornerstone, with soap and water used thoroughly and frequently, particularly after using the toilet, before eating and after outdoor play. This simple routine removes germs far more effectively than a quick rinse and remains essential for stopping stomach bugs that resist alcohol based sanitisers.
Children also benefit from learning how coughs and sneezes travel. Covering with an elbow or tissue and disposing of tissues immediately reduces contamination of hands, desks and shared equipment. Reinforcing this behaviour early supports cleaner environments across the school.
Further, encouraging children to keep their hands away from their faces and avoid sharing drink bottles or food further limits opportunities for infection to spread. At home, regular cleaning of lunchboxes, school bags and reusable water bottles removes moisture and residue that allow bacteria to thrive between school days.
“Germs that land on clothing can also turn it into a hidden reservoir,” Litmus director Claire Bird says. “From there, those germs transfer back onto hands, become airborne when clothes move or are removed and enter the body through touch or breathing. Washing clothes on a hot cycle can help kill viruses, yet some germs resist heat and some fabrics cannot tolerate hot washes. Understanding the specific germ involved remains critical.”
Staying home protects everyone
Knowing when to keep children home remains one of the most effective infection control measures. Children experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or significant respiratory symptoms benefit from rest and recovery at home, while classmates gain protection from avoidable exposure.
For children with asthma or other respiratory conditions, early term brings additional challenges as viruses and allergens combine. Updated management plans and consistent medication routines support safer participation in school life during this high-risk period.
As schools and families prepare for another busy year, shared responsibility around hygiene education supports healthier classrooms, steadier attendance and a safer return to learning after summer.
