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    Cold and Flu Season - Note from School Nurse

    Dear Parents,

    As we are still undergoing the cold and flu season some symptoms can be unavoidable. There are several things you can do at home to help prevent illness and help keep everyone feeling healthy this season. Keep in mind it is not too late to get a flu shot to protect against seasonal flu and its potential complications. Illnesses like colds and flu are spread from person to person via respiratory droplets. These droplets are spread by coughing, sneezing or by touching objects or people with contaminated hands. Remember some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces that we come into contact daily.

     Here are some tips to remember:

    • WASH, WASH, WASH YOUR HANDS! This is still the best defense against illness. Encourage your children to wash their hands, especially before meals, using soap and warm water.
    • Remind your children to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Avoid sharing cups, water bottles, or eating utensils with others.
    • Get plenty of rest! School-age children should get 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Adults should try to get 8 hours.
    • Drink lots of fluids and eat a balanced diet, especially breakfast! Eating a balanced diet and staying well hydrated can help decrease the chance of your children having stomachaches and headaches.
    • Dress appropriately for cold weather. Please see that your children choose warm, comfortable clothing for school each day. Your children need the exercise that may require them to be outdoors, even in cool weather during their physical education and athletic periods.
    Unfortunately, even with the best care, a virus can make us sick. Children should be kept home from school for the following reasons and follow up with their doctor when needed. Please use the following guidelines to help in determining whether or not to send your child to school in order to prevent the spread of disease:
    1. A temperature of 100 degrees or higher. A child should not come back to school until the temperature is normal for 24 hours without medication (fever reducer). If your child does result with fever for more than 24 hours please take to the doctor immediately to rule out having the flu or any other illness.

    2. Any vomiting or diarrhea the night before or morning of school

    3. A persistent cough

    4. Any rash of unknown cause anywhere on the body

    5. Eye(s) that appear pink, red, draining, or discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning.

    Remember by staying home when sick, children are helping themselves recuperate and are helping their peers stay healthy. By working together, I believe we can reduce the spread of illness at NorthShore 10th Grade campus. Please call if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's health. If you have a change in address or phone number, remember to contact the school office. It is very important to be able to reach you in the event your child becomes ill at school.

    Thank you for all you do!

    Nurse Brosig, LVN

    How to Stay Healhty During Cold and Flu Season