Will working in a school mean I'm constantly unwell?

[wherethewillowsgrow]

Hi, looking for some reassurance really (or not, as the case may be!)

I had two induction days as a secondary school TA last week. I enjoyed it and was looking forward to starting properly after half term. However, I now have Covid and feel really poorly and, frankly, very nervous about the prospect of returning to school. I've been a SAHM for eleven years so have been rather sheltered. I'm guessing this year is going to be how Reception year was for the kids - a constant stream of illnesses till my immune system toughens up. I’ve gone from feeling positive about the job to wondering if it's worth it. I'm definitely not doing it for the money! My DH and the kids would be more than happy if I decided not to return. However, I already feel a sense of loyalty towards the school, and know I just suck it up and get on with it.

Were you constantly ill when you started working in a school, and did it get better? Although I'm guessing most people don't start working in schools in their 40s in the middle of a pandemic 🙄

Just need to suck it up, rather. Brain's a bit addled!

It will gradually get better each year. You'll build up so eventually you're not I'll during every holiday

When people first start, they tend to pick up all the bugs. However, you do build immunity as time goes on.

I hope you feel better soon

I used to work with kids and the best tip I got was to make sure that you never touch anywhere on your face when working as that’s the easiest way for germs to get into your body. When you become aware of it, it’s surprising how often you rub your eye, itch your nose etc. Also, always wash your hands before preparing food or eating. It definitely makes a difference. I still follow that advice, and rarely even catch a cold from my DS. I have also avoided the few vomiting viruses that he’s had.

Thanks all. That's reassuring. Good advice about not touching your face. There was an awful lot of on/off/adjusting of the mask during the day, plus a few instances of dropping the mask onto filthy looking floors, so I'm sure that didn't help! I'm finding mask etiquette quite tricky - am sure I'm not the only one.

I am a primary school TA and during my first year ( 8 years ago now), I seemed to have a permanent cold. The 1st Xmas, I was quite ill and didn’t get out of bed for the 1st 3-4 days of the holiday period. Forced myself out of bed on Xmas Eve as we had family coming Xmas day. I haven’t really been ill since, even when I caught covid last Xmas it was no where near as bad as that 1st Xmas.

Carry a little bottle of sanitizer on your lanyard. Find a sanitizer you like and buy 5 litres of the stuff and refill everyday. Wouldn’t be without it now.

The first year in a new school is bad for germs, but it gets easier.
I've also noticed that I've been ill much more this term and the germs going round seem to be making staff and students more unwell than previous years.