StonyPointEagle FLU information from Stony Point

[The Stony Point Eagle Mailing List]

INFLUENZA INFORMATION

 

The flu and cold season has finally hit our area!  Here at Stony Point, we have had several children out sick this week and last week with a variety of viruses and illnesses. Parents should be on the look out for flu symptoms.  If your child gets sick suddenly with fever, respiratory symptoms and body aches, it would be advisable to call your doctor. He or she might be able to prescribe an antiviral medication to shorten the length of the illness if it is determined to be the flu. Here is some helpful information:

 

Influenza or flu season generally occurs in the winter months.   The following information adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be helpful for you to consider 

(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 via touching a surface that has flu viruses on it and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. 

Frequent hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette can help prevent illness.  Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol based hand sanitizer.    Cough or sneeze into a tissue, throw the tissue away and then wash your hands as described above.  If a tissue is not available cough or sneeze into your sleeve rather than your hand.

Flu Shots:  The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. Although flu shots are recommended for everyone, the CDC strongly recommends that individuals at high risk for complications from the flu get annual flu shots including: children aged 6 months through age 5, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older,  people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.  Household contacts of the above individuals should also get flu shots as well as household contacts of children under 6 months of age.  

If you get the flu: rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid alcohol and tobacco, stay home from work and school, and try to keep your distance from family members.  

Medications:  Antibiotics like penicillin will not cure the flu. However, there are antiviral medications available by prescription that may help shorten the course and severity of influenza when begun within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms or may help prevent infection after exposure to the influenza virus.   Contact your physician if you think you have the flu or have come into close contact with someone who is ill to see if these medications would be appropriate for you.  Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Motrin), decongestants, and cough suppressants may help relieve symptoms of flu.  The use of a humidifier may also provide symptomatic relief. 

Things to keep in mind for school-age children: Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu.  Aspirin use in children with viral infections can cause Reyes Syndrome - a rare but serious condition.  Ibuprofen (Motrin) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be administered at the advice of your doctor.  

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. 

Review with your children the measures below we can all take to try to prevent catching and spreading the flu. 

      Habits to Help Prevent Illness
     
      Cough/Sneeze Etiquette: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, discard the used tissue in a trash receptacle and wash hands.  If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve instead of your hand.   
     
      Hand Washing:  Wash your hands often with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.  If no water is available you may use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Wash hands frequently throughout the day and always when you use the restroom, cough/sneeze/blow nose, and before eating.
     
      Avoid Close Contact with people who are sick.  When you are sick keep your distance from others.
     
      Stay Home: If you have the flu stay home from school, work, or social gatherings.
     
      Avoid Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  
     
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://listserv.bnsi.net/pipermail/stonypointeagle/attachments/20070306/1d3a3a52/attachment.html