Flu Season and Schools

Flu will be an unwelcome visitor to many homes this winter.  With the recent reduction in flu vaccine availability schools can help educate students, their families, and staff about how to reduce the chance of getting the flue as well as reduce the likelihood of spreading it to others.

Fast Flu Facts

• Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and congestion.
• Coughing, sneezing, or speaking spreads flu.  Flu spreads less frequently when a person touches a surface that has flu virus on it.
• Rest, Drink plenty of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco if you get the flu.
• Antibiotics like penicillin will NOT cure the flu.
• Over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms.  The National Institute for Allergies & Infectious Diseases recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) for children and aspirin or acetaminophen for adults.  Do NOT give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu.  Decongestants, cough suppressants, and use of a humidifier can provide symptomatic relief.
• Three antiviral medicines are available by prescription that will help prevent flu infection:  Tamiflu, Flumadine and Symmetrel.

Things to keep in mind for school-age children

• Most antihistamines cause sleepiness.  If a child still has a stuff nose when returning to school, parents may want to ask their child's doctor to prescribe a non-sedating antihistamine.
• Encourage children to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, and keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth.  Make sure tissues are available in all classrooms.  Tissues should be thrown away and hands should be washed immediately.
• Encourage children to wash their hands several times a day using soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds (this is generally around the time it takes to sing the ABC's).  Dry hands with paper towels or automatic hand dryers if possible.  In school, allow regular breaks for the students and teachers to wash hands.  Young children should be instructed and assisted to ensure proper hand washing.  Restrooms should be checked regularly to ensure that soap and paper towels are always available.  Alcohol gels may be used in classrooms to minimize disruption.
• Any employee, student, teacher, or staff suspected of having the flu should not attend school;  they should stay home during the first days of the illness when symptoms are most severe and the infection is most contagious, and can return to school when symptoms are improving and no fever has been detected for 24 hours.
• Schools should be extra-vigilant that ill students are excluded from sports activities, choir or any activities that may involve close contact.  All students and staff should avoid sharing water bottles, drinks, eating utensils, etc.
• School buses, because of the enclosed space, may allow for easy spread of the flu.  Tissues should be available on the buses, and students should be encouraged to cover nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing.  Disinfect commonly handled interior surfaces (door handles, hand rails, etc.) between loads of students, if possible.
• Clean commonly used surfaces such as door handles, handrails, eating surfaces, and desks frequently with disinfectant.  Bleach solutions or commercial disinfectants are appropriate.