School is officially back in session and one infectious disease expert is offering some “common sense” tips to help prevent the spread of viruses in classrooms. Dr. Isaac Bogoch said parents should make sure their kids are up to date on routine childhood immunizations and encourage good hand hygiene to curb the spread of infections. “We are going to be entering respiratory virus season at the tail end of September and early October,” he said, adding that people should get their flu shot when they roll out this fall. Experts previously told CTV News Toronto that viruses like Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV typically become more active in the fall and winter as people spend more time inside. Speaking to CTV News last month, they echoed Bogoch’s comments, urging people to do simple things like washing your hands and getting vaccinated to help stop the spread of illnesses. In 2025, influenza activity in Ontario peaked in December when the positivity rate rose to 35.7 per cent. “Essentially if someone is sick, stay home. I mean a lot of common sense is involved with this. It you feel like crap, if you are crummy, if you are coughing all over the place, don’t go in and get everyone else sick,” Bogoch said. “And you know it is easier said than done…. if a kid stays home from school that means a parent often has to stay home but obviously if people can swing it, don’t send a sick kid to school to get everyone else sick.” With files from CTV News Toronto’s Jermaine Wilson
