It is important for you to know we have had several cases of confirmed influenza this week in our schools. We are asking for your help in the prevention of this contagious disease.
When you question if your child is ill and could possibly have contracted a flu-like illness, please do not send him/her to school. Influenza is highly contagious, and the contagious period in children lasts up to 7 days. Headache, fever, body aches, and respiratory symptoms are symptoms you should look for.
Tips to help protect you and your family from the spread of influenza:
Hand hygiene: you should wash hands or use alcohol hand rubs or gels after being in public or after contact with anyone with a cold or influenza
When coughing, one should turn the head and cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and promptly dispose of the used tissue; or cough into the inside of the elbow if a tissue is not available.
Avoid taking young children or immunocompromised people into large crowds unnecessarily when influenza is in the community
Avoid close contact (holding, kissing) between infants and anyone who has a cold or the flu
Do not share things that go into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, etc.
If people are experiencing respiratory symptoms with a sore throat and/or fever, they should stay home to prevent spread of the infection.
***If you have concerns about your child’s illness, contact your health care provider, request to have your child evaluated and swabbed for the flu.
We appreciate your help in preventing the spread of infection,
Welcome to the new MSAD #52 nursing website. We hope that you explore our page and find some of the links informative and helpful in navigating your child’s health, well-being, and needs throughout the school year. Our goal is to help keep you up to date with current health and wellness happenings within our district. There is a strong connection between a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health to their success in education. We want to help your child strive towards academic excellence through optimal health and look forward to working with you and your family.
So here it goes...a friendly reminder from the nurses. We are having an outbreak of a variety of late winter viral illnesses in our schools. In order to decrease the spread of infection, and control outbreaks, I would like to remind everyone of the 24 hour rules.
THE 24 HOUR RULES
A child MUST be free of fever for 24 hours (without medication to reduce the fever) before returning to school.
Children with Strep infections MUST be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
Children MUST be free of nausea and/or vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school.
Our goal is to significantly reduce exposure to illness. Sick children do not perform to their potential in academics or even in after school activities.
We thank you and please call us with any questions.
