Influenza and Cold Season
Notes from the nurse:
Illnesses like colds and flu (influenza) 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.
Another illness that is common during the winter months is the “stomach bug” or gastroenteritis.
Illnesses can spread from person to person during normal daily activities; there are some simple things that help reduce the spread of illness.
KASD educators continue to encourage healthy habits with our students, like hand washing and cough etiquette, to discourage germ transmission.
We ask families to please remind your children of the following to prevent the spread of illness.
- Cover their mouth and nose when sneezing. If they can, they should use a tissue and then throw it away, washing their hands afterwards. If they don’t have a tissue handy, they should use their inner elbow or upper sleeve rather than their hands. This practice prevents the spread of germs via their hands.
- Keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean their hands often. Remind them to wash with soap and warm water. At bathroom breaks throughout the day I hear teachers frequently sending children back into the bathroom to wash properly. In addition to reminding them to use soap and water, the children at school are frequently reminded to not rush through washing their hands.
- Remind them to not share cups, water bottles, or eating utensils.
Being in the thick of cold and flu season, please keep the following guidelines in mind when deciding whether or not to send your child to school. This will help to control the spread of infectious diseases at school and allow your child to be available for learning.
Students should remain home for the following reasons:
- For a temperature greater than 100 degrees. Children should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school and not taking fever-reducing medication to control symptoms.
- If diagnosed with a strep infection. Students need to be on an antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours, fever free, and feeling well before returning to school.
- If your child has vomited or had persistent diarrhea during the night or in the morning before school.
- If your child has a heavy, moist productive cough, chest congestion, or discolored nasal drainage.
- If your child has pinkeye (conjunctivitis). Students need to have completed 24 hours of medication, and have no discharge before returning to school.
Students returning to school should be kept home until they have been symptom free for 24 hours.
This is important for your child’s health and the health of his/her classmates. Please continue to remind your child of the importance of frequent hand washing, healthy eating, and proper use and disposal of tissues during this cold and flu season.