Kids are gross. That’s not a judgmental statement; it’s simply a fact of life. As children explore the world, they touch, smell, and/or lick everything around them. As a result, they both collect and distribute any manner of germs and viruses — and are particularly generous when it comes to sharing them with family members, as hygiene and personal space aren’t typically high on their list of priorities.

Unsurprisingly, this makes back-to-school particularly treacherous for parents as they look to fortify their households against the onslaught of illnesses that thrive when kids come back together and share their germs — and pass them on to family and caretakers. This reality has all of us constantly looking over our shoulders, waiting for the cold or stomach bug that will cause childcare chaos, and likely necessitate a day or two off work.

Although it’s nearly impossible to navigate the back-to-school sickness season unscathed — especially with COVID-19 in the air — there are ways to mitigate the damage. Here’s what can help.