How to beat the back-to-school bugs

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The harsh bug enterovirus 68 is making its way across the country and shows no signs of slowing down. As parents' concerns grow, pediatricians remind us that all kinds of other bugs can spread like wildfire, as kids return to the classroom.

Just a few weeks into school and 12-year-old Isabella Venus got caught up in an early wave of illness.

"I had body pains like on my back and my chest, and I would get runny noses and cough," Isabella said.

A recent outbreak of an unusually harsh cold virus has many parents on high alert.

"As soon as she talked about the body aches, I became very concerned," Isabella's mom, Renee Venus said.

A quick listen told pediatrician Danelle Fisher what she needs to know.

"She has some kind of viral upper respiratory infection," Dr. Fisher said.

While enterovirus D68 continues to sicken thousands of kids across the country, Dr. Fisher reminds parents other common back-to-school bugs can cause just as much illness if not more.

"Unfortunately, measles has made a comeback, whooping cough has made a comeback, and we really were doing a great job of controlling these diseases with proper timely vaccination," Dr. Fisher said.

She blames the increase on parents skipping or stretching out childhood immunizations. Another illness making its rounds early this school year: hand, foot and mouth disease.

It's too early to tell how bad the flu will hit Southern California, but Dr. Fisher says now is the time to start scheduling your flu shot.

She says the best way to prevent colds, flu and other infections is with thorough and consistent hand washing and coughing and sneezing into your elbow. The other important way to prevent the spread of germs: stay home if you're sick.

Lice, pink eye and cold sores are other classroom bugs that area easily spread by close contact. Dr. Fisher reminds everyone when washing your hands keep rubbing them in soap and water for at least 20 seconds.