**Please see the attached link below for guidance regarding preventing the spread of viruses**
Cold and Flu Season
Cold and flu season are here. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or gastrointestinal illness. While the flu and common cold are both respiratory illnesses the flu is generally worse than the common cold (typically runny and stuffy noses). The flu involves symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and a dry cough.
The best way to protect oneself from the flu is to get a flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older should get a flu shot. You should get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available. However, you can get immunization any time throughout flu season. Getting the vaccine later in the season (December – March) can help protect you from getting the flu. To learn more about the flu vaccine, complications of the flu, and when to seek medical attention, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm
The following are good practices to prevent the flu whether or not you are able to get vaccinated:
Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Stay home when sick.
If your child has a temperature of 100° and higher or exhibits flu symptoms, it is best to keep him/her home from school. If possible, adults should stay home from work. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Or, cough and sneeze into your elbow and not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Wash your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Please encourage your children to wash their hands thoroughly when appropriate.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Germs are spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth (i.e. door knob). Most healthy individuals may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before they have symptoms and up to 5 days after becoming sick. You can pass on the flu virus before you know you are sick.
Other good habits such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water, and eating healthy food, will help you and your family stay healthy. If you or your family experience symptoms that you think might be the flu, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible.
Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate clothing for the winter season, including a jacket, hat, and gloves.