By Michelle Swartz

Do you feel sick throughout the school year?

No, not because of all the homework your teacher assigns … because you are constantly sneezing, blowing your nose and coughing.

If so, you're not alone. Most kids get sick several times throughout the school year because many illnesses are contagious, which means germs can spread from person to person.

The good news is that there are ways to avoid catching a cold, flu and other infectious illnesses. Simple things like washing your hands and covering your mouth when you sneeze and cough are some of the ways to prevent spreading germs to your friends.

"Some days, the number of absences is high. There could be as many as five or six kids who are sick in one class because the kids are spreading the same illness to each other," said Dee Dee Heck, a registered nurse for Monroe Public Schools. "So now there's a big push to teach kids from passing germs to one another."

Kids who are sick are recommended to sneeze or cough in their sleeves, instead of their hands, and to wash their hands after blowing their nose. It's also important to clean your desk so you can prevent the spread of germs.

Monroe Public Schools employs two registered nurses — Ms. Heck and Denise Rumple — to maintain healthy students in the entire school district.

"We see kids all the time with strep throat, colds, flu, high fevers … a lot of infectious illnesses," Ms. Heck said. "We recommend that you stay home from school and see a doctor."

Here are the top five infectious illnesses that kept children home from school last year, according to the Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.com.

It's no surprise that the common cold is the No. 1 reason students stay home from school.

A cold is the most common illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds a year reported in the United States alone.

Colds are the result of upper respiratory infections, which affect the throat, nose and ears. While adults average two to four colds a year, children average six to 10.

Since colds are contagious, it is important that you stay home from school.

Causes: The illness is caused by any one of more than 200 viruses. A cold is spread through hand-to-hand contact or from objects that have been touched by someone with a cold, like a doorknob, telephone or computer keyboard.

Symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, body chills or headache. Symptoms usually linger for five to 10 days.

Treatment: Medicine does not make colds go away faster, but some medicines can help you feel better. Many over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief for some of your symptoms. Getting plenty of rest also will help in your recovery.

Prevention: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your nose and eyes. Don't shake hands with someone who has a cold.

The second most common childhood illness is the stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis.

It's not the same as the flu and is usually caused by a virus. It is contagious so stay home from school until you feel better. The illness usually goes away after a day or two.

Causes: Viruses and bacteria are the most common causes. Some foods, like dairy products, could irritate your stomach.

Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhea, which could lead to dehydration in young children. Other symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, excessive thirst, dry mouth, severe weakness, or a low-grade fever (99 degrees Fahrenheit).

Treatment: There is no vaccine or cure. If you're vomiting, do not eat solid food. Instead, drink water to stay hydrated. Once you stop vomiting, try eating foods like toast, crackers, noodles or soup.

Prevention: Always wash your hands so it is not spread to others. Also, eat properly prepared foods and stored food.

Ear infection, also known as otitis media, is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear.

While it most often occurs in children 2 and younger, it's also common for 5- and 6-year-olds.

It's not contagious, but you if you have a cold, it could lead to an ear infection.

Causes: Bacteria and viruses, such as colds or allergies that cause congestion.

Symptoms: Fever, fluid draining from ear, difficulty hearing, ear pain or loss of balance.

Treatment: Most doctors prescribe antibiotics (drugs that kill bacteria). When taking an antibiotic, keep taking the medicine until it is finished.

Prevention: Wash your hands regularly and try not to touch your nose and eyes. Stay away from people who have colds, if possible, and avoid places where people are smoking.

Pink eye is one illness that is clear in its meaning.

This common eye problem includes symptoms of a pink and itchy eye.

Also known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is the inflammation of the covering of the eyeball and inside of the eyelid.

It is highly contagious so if you have pink eye, stay home from school and see a doctor.

Causes: Viruses or bacteria, allergic reaction, or chemical irritation

Symptoms: Redness and swelling of the eye as well as an itching that causes it to feel like you have something in your eye. Other symptoms include thick, yellow or green discharge and thin, clear drainage from the eye. Your eyelids can be stuck shut when you wake up in the morning.

Treatment: It's typically treated with antibiotic eye-drops or ointment prescribed by your doctor. To help ease the discomfort, place a warm or cool compress on the eye.

Since pink eye is contagious, limit your contact with others. Wash your hands every time you touch around your eye. Do not touch your infected eye with your fingers. Use tissues or wipes. Wash or change your pillowcase every day until the infection goes away.

Prevention: If you are around someone with pink eye, wash your hands thoroughly and often. If not, the infection can easily spread. Do not share anything, like towels, with those who have pink eye.

5. Sore Throat

A sore throat usually is a symptom of another illness, like a cold or strep throat.

Since these illnesses are contagious, you should stay home from school. Most sore throats go away with or without treatment after a few days.

Causes: Viruses that commonly cause colds and other respiratory illnesses. Bacteria, like an infection or strep throat, also causes a sore throat. It also may be caused by allergies and cigarette smoke.

Symptoms: Redness of the throat, tender glands, difficulty breathing and pain with swallowing. A sore throat also may cause symptoms throughout your body, like fever, headache, and nausea.

Treatment: Throat lozenges provide temporary relief, while gargling with salt water is helpful. Drink plenty of fluids, too. Getting extra sleep will speed up your recovery as well.

Prevention: Avoid close contact with people who are sick with colds and other infectious illnesses.

Source: www.mayoclinic.com and www.emedicinehealth.com