|
|
COLD AND FLU SEASON IS HERE
Article
written by Jorja Trocino, nurse coordinator
Cold and flu season is here. Flu and colds are typically
viruses that spread from person to person through the nose
or throat. Flu symptoms include high fever, cough, chills,
sore throat, headache and/or muscle aches. Cold symptoms
are generally less severe and are limited to nasal drainage,
cough, watery eyes and/or low grade temperature.
Please keep your child home if
they have any signs and symptoms of illness. When
determining whether your child should go to school, please
keep in mind the following guidelines:
|
|
Child should not be
at school or in contact with other children: |
If child feels well enough,
he/she may attend school: |
|
Runny nose |
Cloudy or
yellow/green discharge with congestion, fever
|
Clear drainage as with
allergies |
|
Cough |
Frequent
or uncontrollable, producing
mucous or
accompanied by fever |
Infrequent, no mucous is being
coughed up and/or child has been on antibiotics for
at least 24 hours before returning to school, no
fever |
|
Fever |
If
temperature is above 100 or symptoms of headache or
cough accompanying any elevated temperature.
|
If temperature is below 100 and
there are no other symptoms
They must be fever free
without medication for 24 hours |
|
Diarrhea
or vomiting |
More than
one occurrence; allow 24 hours after last incident
of diarrhea or vomiting before sending child back to
school |
Single incident of diarrhea
and no other symptoms (i.e., fever, vomiting) |
|
Strep throat or Scarlet Fever |
Sore
throat, headache, nausea, fever (Children do not
always have fever or complain of a sore throat.)
The
only way to rule out Strep is with a throat
culture. |
After 24
hours on antibiotics and fever free for 24 hours |
|
“Pink eye”
(Conjunctivitis) |
Eye is
red, burning or itching, crusty, white or yellow
drainage is occurring |
Bacterial
conjunctivitis: after 24 hours on antibiotics
Viral
conjunctivitis: with a note from the Dr. stating no
longer contagious |
|
Rash |
Any child with an unknown rash
will be dismissed for medical evaluation |
Rash free
or with written permission from physician |
|
Chicken Pox |
Itching
pink/red spots with blister-type center, fever |
Lesions crusted over and dry,
no fever |
|
Head lice |
Nits or lice present
|
Nit-free, nurse has checked and
permits student to go to class |
If you think that your child
might have a fever, please check his/her temperature before
sending him/her to school. Your child should not
be sent to school until he/she has been fever free without
medication for at least 24 hours. Thanks for your help
in keeping our children healthy!
What can you do to prevent or minimize your exposure:
-
Hand washing is
the number one defense against flu, colds, viruses and
bacteria. Remember to wash
before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing,
sneezing or blowing your nose. Using warm water or a
hand sanitizer with 60 percent to 90 percent alcohol
base is a good alternative when hand washing is not
available.
-
Frequently clean commonly
touched surfaces such as door knobs, refrigerator
handles, water faucets.
-
Cough into a tissue or the
bend of your elbow and not your hand.
-
Avoid contact with
infected people or items.
-
Do not share things that
go into the mouth such as food, drinking cups.
-
Rest. Make sure you that
are getting an adequate amount of rest each night.
-
Drink lots of fluids and
eat a healthy diet.
-
Do not smoke around
children.
-
Stay at home if you have a
fever or any symptoms of the flu.
-
Take your child to your
pediatrician or emergency room if they have labored
breathing, bluish color, not drinking enough, irritable,
not easy to arouse, or any symptoms become worse.
-
Consult your doctor with
any concerns or questions.
Staff members work hard to keep
schools clean and provide a healthy environment for students
to learn. School nurses attempt to send home any students that may
possibly transmit an illness. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact the school nurse at your child’s
school. |
| |
Important Dates
Monday, February 18,
No School for Students due to Professional
Development Day
Wednesday, March 12,
End of Third Quarter Grading Period
Monday-Friday, March
17-21, No School due to Spring Break
Wednesday, March 26,
No School for Students due to Professional
Development Day
March 31-April 23,
TCAP Testing Window
Saturday, April 12,
ACT Testing for all 11th Grade Students
Monday-Thursday, May
19-22, Semester Exams
Thursday, May
22, Last Day for Students
For other
dates, check with each individual school
|
|
