KEEPING ILL STUDENTS AT HOME:
Students with fever of 100.0°F or higher and signs of the flu should remain at home until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medication. Signs of the flu include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches.
PREVENTING THE FLU AT HOME:
Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100°Fahrenheit, or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing medication. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.
Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.
Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing products for anyone under that age of 18 with the flu or flu-like symptoms due to the risk of Reye syndrome ( a potentially deadly illness). For relief of fever, other anti-fever medications such as acetaminophen or non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended.
Children younger than 4 years of age should not be given over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a healthcare provider.
PREVENTING THE FLU AT SCHOOL:
Students and staff who have fever greater than 100.0°F will be sent home from school and asked to remain at home until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication. When practical, nurses will keep students with flu –like illness separate from other students.
School Nurses will continue to monitor student and staff illness on their campus. School Nurses will continue to monitor student illness and absences. Currently, the Health Department will recommend school closures only if there is a large prevalence of illness and/or absences. Schools will no longer be closed due to one case or highly suspected case of H1N1 flu.
School staff will continue to urge proper hygiene such as hand washing and respiratory etiquette to students.
Per CDC guidelines, Custodial staff will continue to practice routine cleaning of surfaces.