|
What Is It?
What is
the flu?
The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and
lungs that is caused by influenza virus. The flu can spread
from person to person. Most people with flu are sick for
about a week, but then feel better. However, some people
(especially young children, pregnant women, older people,
and people with chronic health problems) can get very sick
and some can die.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Most people
with the flu feel tired and have fever (usually high),
headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and
sore muscles. Some people, especially children, may also
have stomach problems and diarrhea.
How does the flu spread?
People that have the flu usually cough, sneeze, and have a
runny nose. This makes droplets with virus in them. Other
people can get the flu by breathing in these droplets,
getting them in their nose or mouth, or touching
contaminated surfaces.
How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?
Healthy adults may be able to spread the flu from one day
before getting sick up to five days after getting sick. This
can be longer in children and in people who don't fight
disease as well (people with weakened immune systems).
How can I protect my child from the flu?
A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all children
from the ages of 6 months up to their 19th birthday get a
flu vaccine every fall or winter.
- Seasonal flu shots can be given to
children 6 months and older.
- A nasal-spray vaccine can be given to healthy
children 2 years and older (children under 5 years old
who have had wheezing in the past year or any child with
chronic health problems should get the flu shot).
- You can protect your child by
getting a flu vaccine
for yourself, too. Also encourage your child's close
contacts to get a flu vaccine. This is very important if
your child is younger than 5 or has a chronic health
problem like asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes
(high blood sugar levels).
- H1N1 vaccines should be available
early fall 2009.
Is there
medicine to treat the flu?
There are antiviral drugs for children 1 year and older that
can make your child feel better and get better sooner.
But these drugs need to be approved by a doctor. They should
be started during the first two days that your child is sick
for them to work best. Your doctor can discuss with you if
these drugs are right for your child.
|
|
What
Can You Do?
How else
can I protect my child against flu?
1. Get your family vaccinated for the seasonal flu
and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines become available.
2. Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs. This
includes:
- Practice good hand hygiene by
washing your hands often with soap and water, especially
after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand
cleaners are also effective (rub cleaners until the
hands are dry to be most effective).
- Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a
tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder--not
into your hands.
- Stay home if you or your child is
sick for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a
fever or signs of a fever (without the use of
fever-reducing medicine). A fever is a
temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or
greater than 100 degree Fahrenheit. If you are not able
to measure a temperature, signs of a fever may include a
feeling of warmth, a flushed appearance, or sweating or
shivering. Keeping sick students at home means that they
keep their viruses to themselves rather than sharing
them with others.
What can I do if my child gets
sick?
Consult your doctor and make sure your child gets plenty of
rest and drinks a lot of fluids. If your child is older than
2 years, you can buy medicine (over-the-counter) without a
prescription that might make your child feel better. Be
careful with these medicines and follow the instructions on
the package. But never give aspirin or medicine that
has aspirin in it to children or teenagers who may
have the flu.
Can my child go to school
if he or she is sick?
No. Your child should stay home to
rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children.
Your child may return to school when he or she is feeling
better and has been with a temperature below 100 degrees
Fahrenheit for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing
medicine.
When can my child go back to
school after having the flu?
Keep your child home from school until his or her
temperature has been normal for 24 hours. Remind your child
to cover his or her mouth when coughing or sneezing, to
protect others (you may want to send some tissue and wipes
or gels with alcohol in them to school with your child). A
physician visit is NOT required in order to return to school
after an absence related to influenza.
What can I do to plan ahead for
the flu?
- Plan for child care at home if
your child gets sick.
- Update emergency contact lists.
- Collect games, books, DVDs, and other items to keep
your family entertained if your child is sick and must
stay home.
Columbia Public Schools is in constant
collaboration with the Boone County Health Department to
provide you and your family with the most current updates on
the seasonal and H1N1 flu.
|
