Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Flu Season...yuck!

Hello everyone, I just received some information about the flu, and since I have already had it this season I decided to pass this info on to you.
So here it is:


As you are well aware it is influenza (flu) season, and many of our students and staff are showing flu-like symptoms.  These students/staff get sick very quickly and have symptoms of high fever, cough, sore throat and possibly headache, stomachache and vomiting.

The flu can be passed from person to person.  It is most contagious starting one day before the person feels sick and for approximately three to seven days after the symptoms begin.  The flu-causing virus is spread when a person with the disease coughs, sneezes, or speaks, and releases the virus in the air. The virus can be transmitted from the surface to the hand, then to the nose, mouth, or eyes, resulting in flu infection.  Therefore, it is important to wash hands frequently, cover your cough, keep hands away from the face, and clean commonly touched surfaces.

If the student/staff develops a fever or flu-like symptoms, it is important that they stay home and rest.  Guidelines for exclusion and readmission to school due to illness include:

  1. Returning to school when fever free (100.9 or below) for 24 hours without fever reducing medication
  2. Returning to school 24 hours after the last diarrhea stool
  3. Returning to school 24 hours after the last vomiting episode 

Thorough hand-washing with soap and water is the best prevention.   

The best prevention from influenza (flu) is to be vaccinated with the flu vaccine even now.  It’s not too late.

Informational links below:








http://www.choa.org/health-professionals/nurse-resources/school-nurses/building-bridges/building-bridges-newsletters

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