Dear Parents/Guardians:
It is flu season.
As many of you know cases of the flu are being reported by the media. There have been some confirmed cases of influenza (flu) in the district and surrounding community; your child (ren) may have been exposed to the virus.
The flu is contagious and can spread through droplets created with coughing and sneezing by persons infected with the flu virus. People with the flu virus are contagious 24 hours before showing any symptoms and up to 7 days after the illness begins.
Signs and symptoms of the flu may include:
fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, head ache, fatigue (tiredness), diarrhea and vomiting. The flu comes on quickly. If you suspect you or a family member is sick, contact your physician for further treatment as soon as possible.
Prevention:
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially before meals and after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. If tissue was used, then throw it in the trash and wash hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect hard surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with flu germs.
Keep your child home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine and after vomiting and or diarrhea subsides.
If you feel the need to seek medical attention, please contact your physician.
Your child’s medical information is kept confidential, so please call the Nurse’s office if your child has been diagnosed with the flu/influenza. If you have any questions you may contact the nurse at
573-363-5909 ext 219.
Sincerely,
Nurse Teresa