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SWINE FLU Q&A
With the outbreak of the swine
flu in other countries and various parts of our country,
Williamson County school nurses will closely monitor
symptoms of students to reduce the risk to all students.
Below is some helpful information prepared by Williamson
County Schools Health Coordinator Jill Casada.
What are the symptoms?
Sore
throat, headache, chills, muscle aches, congestion, cough,
runny nose, or difficulty breathing with a fever.
Aren’t these symptoms similar
to other illnesses?
Yes.
However, at this time, we are being cautious and
recommending students do not come to school with these
symptoms.
What will happen if my child
has these symptoms and he comes to school?
If
students come to school with these symptoms or develop these
symptoms while at school, parents will be notified and
students will need to go home for the day. Students may
return to school the next day if the signs/symptoms they are
sent home with have subsided and the student is without any
complaints of discomfort.
What can families do to reduce
the risk of contracting the flu?
We urge
every family to take precautions regarding the flu. There
are three things you should do to reduce your risks.
1. Cover
your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
and throw the tissue away after you use it. Or,
sneeze or cough into your elbow.
2. Wash
your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough
or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an instant hand
sanitizer and rub it in for at least 15 seconds.
3. Avoid
close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick,
keep your distance from others to protect them from getting
sick, too. If you get the flu, stay home.
What
about out of state school trips?
We are
following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
travel advisory. At this time, no trips are being
restricted. We will follow the same precautions listed above
to reduce the possibility for risk. Please contact your
school administrator for further information regarding
travel.
Is there a place to learn more
information?
Yes. For
further information, you can visit the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention website at
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. |
