Green City R-1 Schools

Flu Blues

February 21, 2017

We are having a tough time lately with our students and staff alike getting sick. Many have stomach aches, headaches, sore throats, nausea, vomiting, and some even are spiking fevers. Students all the way from PK through seniors out sick, and some are testing positive for influenza A or B, or strep throat.

I have spoken with Cindy Mosley RN from the Sullivan County Health Department (SCHD) regarding the multiple local cases of flu lately, and what we need to do to help prevent it's spreading and in caring for those who have the flu. Much of the advice mainly involves stepping up our routine efforts to maintain cleanliness and healthiness that we do already. Per the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC's) website:

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. This year's flu vaccine includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one or two influenza B viruses, depending on the flu vaccine. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (very tired)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. The time from when a person is exposed to flu virus to when symptoms begin is about 1 to 4 days, with an average of about 2 days.

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. The CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent hand washing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should stay gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings. If you have been diagnosed with the flu and must go out, wearing a mask can help prevent you from spreading germs with coughing or sneezing.

Per our Green City Student Handbook: If you feel your child has a contagious condition (Strep throat, chicken pox, pinkeye, flu, ringworm, unknown rashes, etc.), contact the school nurse even if you do not seek immediate medical attention. If your child is seen by healthcare provider, they may return to school (With the provider's approval) the next day after starting treatment for the condition. However, they should not return if their temperature is above 100°F or vomiting is present.

Healthy habits can protect everyone from getting germs or spreading germs at home, work, or school. Some main points:

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces or objects.
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.

Yes, I know I have listed CLEAN SURFACES more than once - it's THAT important~!!

Please try to stay healthy everyone. The flu "season" goes through March, so we still need to keep up our increased efforts to help prevent getting sick. Please contact me if you have any questions.

We Work Hard ~! We Play Hard ~! We Are GC ~! Beth Beyer, RN