Cold & Flu

It's Cold and Flu season. Don't forget to get your flu shot for your family! https://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu and other Contagious Illness this School Year

As you know, cold and flu season is upon us again. We have had children absent from school with diagnosed cases of the flu as well as other contagious illness, (Strep throat and the good ole common cold among them). Please read the following information and share with your children.

Symptoms of FLU          Symptoms of the Common Cold

  • Fever
  • Coughing and/or sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Headaches and/or body aches
  • Chills
  • Fatigue/exhaustion
  • Sometimes vomiting/diarrhea especially in children
  • Stuffy nose
  • Sneezing, sore throat
  • Hacking cough
  • Runny nose
  • Headaches
  • Sometimes earaches from congestion

THE DISTRICT POLICY STATES THAT YOUR CHILD MUST BE FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS (AND NOT ON FEVER REDUCERS) FOR 24 HOUR PERIOD AFTER RUNNING A TEMPERATURE OF 100.0 OR GREATER IN ORDER TO RETURN TO SCHOOL. If your child is sick, it is important for them to stay home from school, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. If your child is truly sick, he/she cannot do his/her best at school and risks exposing others to the same illness.

  • Please take your child's temperature if you think he/she has a fever.
  • Do not send your child to school if your child has vomited in the last 12 hours, is achy, and/or has a really bad cough and/or sore throat.
  • Do not send your child to school if your child has had a temp in the last 24 hours or been on fever reducers 24 hours after temperature.
  • YOU may bring medication for your child to the clinic, including cough drops, headache meds, etc. Your child may not bring medications to the school.

SIMPLE STEPS FOR KEEPING YOU AND YOUR CHILD HEALTHY

  • Get yours/your child's flu shot (it's not too late, but it does take 2 weeks to start working)
  • Please don't share drinks, food, cell phones, etc. This is an excellent way to pass germs.
  • Wash, Wash, Wash....we can't say this enough. This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of germs.  Wash for a full 20 seconds (Happy Birthday song twice).  If you cannot wash, please use hand sanitizer.  The passing of germs can be reduced/stopped with this simple step.  Cold and flu germs can live on porous surfaces like paper, books, and clothes for up to 12 hours.  The viruses can live on nonporous surfaces like computers, cell phones, doorknobs, desks, pencils, remote controls, toys, fridge handles, etc for up to 2 days.  Use anti-bacterial wipes or spray to help with the viruses on these surfaces.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and dispose of the tissue in a proper trash receptacle.  If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands. Wash your hands after using a tissue or use hand sanitizer.
  • Don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes without washing your hands or using hand sanitizer.

Antiviral medication is generally available for the flu, but must be taken within the first 24-48 hours to be effective.

IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU?

Knowing the difference between a cold and the flu can speed up recovery:

SYMPTOMS .....OF A COLD .....OF THE FLU

Fever

Rare

Usually present. Higher than 100°F is associated with the flu

Chills

Mild

Moderate to severe

Headache

Uncommon

Common

Body Aches, Pain

Slight

Usual; often severe

Fatigue, Weakness

Fairly mild

Moderate to severe

Runny/Stuffy nose

Common

Sometimes

Sneezing

Yes

No

Sore Throat

Common

Not Common

Chest Discomfort

Mild to Moderate

Often Severe

Cough

Hacking, Productive

(Mucus producing)

Non-productive

(non-mucus producing)

Treatment

Antihistamines,

Decongestants,

Pain relievers

Antiviral medications-

See your doctor

Prevention

Wash your hands often with soap and water/Germ-X; Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold

Wash your hands often with soap and water/Germ-X;

Annual vaccination;

Antiviral medications-see your doctor

Complications

Sinus infection, Ear infection, Asthma, Bronchitis

Sinus infections, Bronchitis, Pneumonia; Can worsen chronic conditions; Can be life-threatening.

Complications more likely in the elderly, those with chronic conditions, young children and pregnant women

This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment of vigorous physical activity or making any changes to existing treatment or activities. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical based on the content presented here.

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