Illness
When should I keep my child home from school:
- Vomiting, and/or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher within the past 24 hours (should be fever free without medication for 24 hours)
- Undiagnosed rash
- Persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Antibiotics for an infection (should be home the first 24 hours on medication)
SEASONAL INFLUENZA AND H1N1
The flu (influenza) season is upon us and it includes seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 flu. The symptoms are the same for both types of influenza and include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, chills, muscle aches and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Remember that both seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu are VIRUSES, not bacteria and therefore, antibiotics are not helpful in treating these illnesses. Antiviral medications may be helpful in treating influenza and you might ask your physician about these medications (they are most helpful if started within the first 2 days of getting sick). Seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu are spread by direct and droplet contact including coughing and sneezing.
Fighting the Flu includes the 3C's:
- Cover your cough. Use a tissue or your sleeve/elbow.
- Clean your hands-rubbing 20 seconds with a soapy lather or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Contain germs. Stay home when sick with the above symptoms.
It is also important to have family members immunized with the seasonal influenza vaccination and if available, the H1N1 vaccination.
Please observe your child closely for these symptoms. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, please check their temperature-it is important this flu season. Students complaining of these symptoms and/or that have an oral temperature of 100 degrees or higher, need to be kept at home and not sent to school. Students need to be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications, such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol.