A Cold or The Flu? When to Stay Home...
By Susan Cassin Zanker, R.N.
Winter is upon us and hopefully your family has enjoyed a happy and healthy holiday season. However, as we all know, with winter comes cold and flu season. Unfortunately, we often see gastrointestinal viruses (the stomach bug) at this time of year as well. There are ways to help prevent the spread of illness and to alleviate symptoms should they occur.
Influenza, more commonly known as "the flu" and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, and they both cause similar symptoms. However, a cold will usually cause no more than a runny or stuffy nose, a sore throat and sneezing. The flu (and some other viruses) usually causes worse symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue and a dry cough. Any respiratory virus can also trigger asthma symptoms.
When ill with a cold, the flu, or a stomach bug, it is important to get plenty of rest and stay well hydrated (have plenty to drink). As well, you should contact a physician when needed (i.e. for a persistent or high fever, an uncontrollable or severe cough, any difficulty breathing, excessive vomiting or diarrhea, trouble drinking or any other concerns).
Your child's physician may make recommendations regarding pain relievers, fever reducers, cough medications or other remedies for your symptoms.
- A student must be fever free (temperature below 100 degrees) in order to remain in school.
- Students should remain at home until fever free for 24 hours without the help of a fever medicine.
- Students should also remain at home until free of vomiting and/or diarrhea for 24 hours in order to help prevent the spread of germs.
To help prevent the spread of germs:
- Cover your cough or sneeze. Coughing into your elbow can be an effective barrier (not into your hands).
- Dispose of used Kleenex in a waste basket.
- Wash your hands frequently (after touching mouth or nose, before meals and after bathroom use). Wash for 20 seconds at a time. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol based hand sanitizer may be used
- No Sharing of utensils, cups, sports bottles and wash them well in dishwasher or in soapy water after each use.
- Stay at home until fever free (without a fever medicine) and free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24hours.
- Speak with your doctor about receiving the Influenza Vaccine. The influenza vaccine provides the best protection from ¡§the flu¡¨ and may lessen symptoms if you do catch the flu. If you have not already received a flu vaccine this year, you should call your primary care provider to discuss this as soon as possible.
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
The information in this article has been adapted in part from recommendations from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and more information may be found at www.cdc.gov/flu. |
Ċ ď Thomas Edison, Jan 23, 2012 8:09 AM
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