A Message from the School Nurse – IT’S FLU SEASON! – PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY TO PROTECT
YOUR CHILD AND OTHERS!!!
Please make sure to update your phone number, as well as emergency contact numbers so that your child’s school can reach you or another responsible adult during the day, in case your child needs medical attention. (This is an important rule to follow whenever your child is at school.)
Winter is quickly approaching and so are winter colds and other illnesses. You don’t want your child to miss school; but you do not want to send a sick child to school to endanger him /her or others as well.
With flu season upon us, it is important that we work together to keep our children healthy. Viruses spread easily among children in schools, and families with school-age children have more infections than others, with an average of one-third of these family members infected each year. By keeping our children flu-free, we benefit the community as a whole. You can help prevent the spread of flu or help your child get better if he/she does get sick by following a few simple steps:
• If possible, you and your child should get a flu shot (anyone over 6 months of age)
• Remind your child to cover his/her nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and
dispose of the tissue immediately
• Have your child wash his/her hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces and shared items at least once a day
• Ensure that bathrooms are stocked with soap, hand towels and tissues
• Teach your child not to touch his/her mouth, nose and eyes
• If your child is sick and has a fever, keep him/her at home to prevent the spread of illness to
others
If you are concerned about your child’s flu symptoms, call your doctor early. Call your doctor immediately if your child has a chronic disease.
Common symptoms of flu include the same symptoms of COVID-19: high fever, headache, muscle and body aches, exhaustion, and dry cough. Additionally, children often exhibit other flu symptoms that are rare in adults, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some children might benefit from an antiviral medication, which can be prescribed by a physician and can help lessen duration of the virus and reduce the risk of complications, such as pneumonia. To be effective, antiviral medication should be taken within 12-48 hours after flu symptoms begin.
A few other reminders….
· If you or anyone in your family is getting tested for COVID-19 or if anyone in your family has tested positive for COVID-19 please keep anyone that lives in your household home and call the school for further instructions. This will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
· If your child is vaccinated, they will not have to quarantine- even if exposed.
· Please get your student up to date on vaccines. Once up-to-date in kindergarten the only vaccine that is required is a Tdap at 6th grade entry. If your 6th grader has not received a Tdap vaccine please schedule them to get on ASAP
· If your child needs medication in school for conditions like asthma or allergies please have your doctor complete the correct care plan/doctors’ orders and bring that, along with the medication, to school.
· Please remember to keep you child home if they are sick and/or have a fever. Sick students will not be able to focus on learning and will potentially spread the virus/illness to other students.
Please contact the school nurse if you have any questions.
