October

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all parents to please keep your children home if they are sick.

Cold and flu season is starting and I would like all of us to take proper precautions to prevent the spread of any flu or flu-like symptions.

Symptoms include:

Fever above 100 (This is without Tylenol or Motrin)

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Sore throat

Body aches/fatigue

Headaches

If your child has a fever in the morning, please don't medicate them to bring the fever down and then send them to school. You are only masking the fever and exposing students and staff to an illness.

Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. There are many different flu viruses and sometimes a new flu virus emerges, such as the H1N1 virus. It can be spread mostly from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. It can also be spread by touching something with the virus and then touching their mouth or nose. Anyone can catch the flu, but those at higher risk include people who have chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.

The best way to avoid the flu is prevention:

*Washing hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze

*If water is not available alchol based hand cleaners are also effective

*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw

   the tissue away after using it.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

*Avoid sick people at home by staying in another room, if possible.

These are very simple steps but very important in the fight against the flu and

other viruses.