What are the symptoms of flu?

Sudden onset, fever (usually high), headache, chills, extreme tiredness and muscle aches, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Occasionally symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur.

What are some ways to try and prevent the flu?

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick

2. Stay home from work or school when you are sick (if your child has a fever of 100 degrees or greater; do not send them to school).

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Avoid coughing into your hand; cough into your elbow if a tissue is not available.

4. Throw away any used tissues immediately.

5. Good hand washing cannot be stressed enough to protect you from germs (take 15-20 seconds to wash your hands).

6. Keep your hands away from your face.

7. Receive a flu vaccine yearly (a swine flu vaccine may or may not be available to the public for the upcoming flu season).

The school nurse receives daily/weekly updates from the PA Department of Health regarding this rapidly evolving situation and will direct the administration in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC) and PA Department of Health recommendations and protocols.

1. Keep your child home from school or day care when he or she is sick.




2. Allow your child to return to school only when fever-free for at least 24 hours (no longer having a fever without use of fever-reducing medicines).




3. Cover your cough. Cough into your upper sleeve or into a tissue and discard properly.




4. Properly dispose of used tissues and other soiled items, and wash your hands after doing so.




5. Wash hands frequently and regularly, or use hand sanitizers when water is not readily available.




6. Regularly clean and disinfect areas and items likely to have frequent hand contact.




7. Contact your health care provider when your child or other family member is sick with the flu (symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache and body aches).




8. If you are not able to stay home with your child, plan ahead for how he or she will be taken care of when sick at home or if school is closed.




9. Have your child vaccinated against the flu every year.




10. Stay informed through www.health.state.pa.us, www.cdc.gov, or www.flu.gov.