LCS is starting to see an increase in the number of students with cold and
flu symptoms. please share with appropriate staff to decrease the spread
of this very dangeous virus. Everyone needs to take an active role in
illness prevention. Merry Christmas to all! From Health Services.
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School Health Issues
Flu Season and Schools
Flu is an unwelcome visitor to many homes and communities this winter.
Schools can help educate students, their families, and school staff about
how to reduce the chance of getting the flu as well as reduce the
likelihood of spreading flu to others. Additional information from the
experts is available from the links below.
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FIVE FAST FLU FACTS
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry
cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
Flu is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and
sends the flu virus into the air. The virus enters the nose, throat or
lungs of a person and multiplies. Flu spreads less frequently when a person
touches a surface that has flu viruses on it.
If you get the flu: rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid alcohol and
tobacco.
Antibiotics like penicillin will not cure the flu. The best way to prevent
the flu is to get a flu shot. Over-the-counter medications may relieve
symptoms of flu. The National Institute for Allergies & Infectious Diseases
recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) for children; aspirin or acetaminophen
for adults. Decongestants, cough suppressants, and use of a humidifier can
provide symptomatic relief.
In addition to flu shots, three antiviral medicines are available by
prescription that will help prevent flu infection: Tamiflu, Flumadine and
Symmetrel.
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Things to keep in mind for school-age children
Do NOT give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu. To learn why,
click here http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/flu.htm
Most antihistamines cause sleepiness. If a child still has a stuffy nose
when she returns to school, parents may want to ask their child's doctor to
prescribe a non-sedating antihistamine.
Encourage children to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, and
keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth.
A sick child is advised to stay at home during the first days of illness
when symptoms are most severe and the infection is most contagious.
Children can return to school when symptoms are improving and no fever has
been detected for 24 hours.
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Things for schools to keep in mind
The Iowa and Vermont Departments of Health have posted the following
guidance for schools. Adapted by CHHCS for a national audience.
Any employee, student, teacher, or staff suspected of having the flu should
not attend school.
Wash hands several times a day using soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds
(this is generally around the time it takes to sing the ABCÕs). Dry hands
with paper towels or automatic hand dryers if possible. In school, allow
regular breaks for the students and teachers to wash hands. Young children
should be instructed and assisted to ensure proper hand washing. Restrooms
should be checked regularly to ensure that soap and paper towels are always
available.
The flu can be spread from coughs or sneezes. Make sure tissues are
available in all classrooms. Students and staff should cover their mouths
when coughing and use a tissue when sneezing or blowing their noses.
Tissues should be thrown away immediately following proper hand washing
(alcohol hand gels may be used in the classrooms to minimize disruption).
Schools may be required by their local health departments to report flu
absences when they reach a locally determined number. Reporting outbreaks
assists in disease surveillance and understanding the impact on the
community.
Staff and students (especially those with medical conditions and anyone
else who wants to lower their risk of getting the flu) should get the flu
shot. Remember, it is never too late in the flu season to be vaccinated.
Check with your local health department on availability of vaccine:
www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states
Closure of individual schools in the event of an outbreak has not proven to
be an effective way of stopping the flu but that decision should be made by
the appropriate school officials based on other considerations.
Schools should be extra-vigilant that ill students be excluded from sports
activities, choir or any activities that may involve close contact, since
transmission of the flu may be easier in these situations. All students and
staff should avoid sharing glasses, water bottles, drinks, spoons/forks,
etc.
School buses, because of the enclosed space, may allow for easy spread of
the flu. Tissues should be available on the buses, and students should be
encouraged to cover nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing. Disinfect
commonly handled interior surfaces (i.e. door handles, hand rails, etc.)
between loads of students, if possible.
In the school, clean commonly used surfaces such as door handles,
handrails, eating surfaces, desks, etc., frequently with disinfectant.
(Bleach solutions or commercial disinfectants are appropriate.)
Who should get the flu shot? Everyone. (For more information contact your
health care provider or local health department at
www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states.)
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For more information:
How to tell the difference between a cold and flu. [Spanish version]
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cold/sick.pdf
Health Matters: Flu. From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/flu.htm
Influenza: The Disease. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluinfo.htm
Date posted: 12/12/03
Web Policies
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1350 Connecticut Ave., Suite 505 Washington, DC 20036
tel(202) 466-3396, fax (202) 466-3467
http://www.healthinschools.org
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