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Health News
 HEALTH TIPS FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Tis the season for colds, flu, strep throat and seasonal allergies.
HELP KEEP YOUR CHILD HEALTHY AND VIRUS FREE

The cold and flu season is upon us. It is important to keep our children healthy by following good health practices. Remember to send your child to school with a warm coat and hat and gloves.

Is it the cold or the flu?

Usually the flu is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Common symptoms of the flu include high fever, severe headache, muscle and body aches chills sore throat, exhaustion and dry cough. Children may also have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Often cold symptoms come on gradually and they include stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and a hacking cough.

The number one way to prevent getting a cold or the flu is proper handwashing.

1) Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (as long as it takes to sing happy birthday song)

2) Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing with the inside of the elbow and or tissue

3) Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

4) Avoid sharing drinks, water bottles, and eating utensils

5) You can also prevent the spread of a virus by wiping down common surfaces such as countertops, door knobs, TV remotes, cell phones, and toys with disinfectant wipes

If your child does become sick, please keep them home from school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Also they must be diarrhea and vomiting free for 24 hours.

Remember that your child can not carry cough drops or any other over the counter medications to school. You can fill out an over the counter form and bring it to the office if you wish for your child to take any kind of over the counter medication while at school. This form can be obtained in the school office, and on the school website

Let’s work together on keeping our children healthy and safe!

Thank You ,
Your School Nurse
Lisa Dillon RN, BSN, LSN