What to Do About the Flu

What should you do about the flu? The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reporting that influenza-like illness intensity is high in the state for the last week they reported and that there was widespread geographic spread of the flu across Maryland. The outbreak is of Type A Influenza. No doubt this is affecting attendance at NHS and other area schools.

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Influenza viral particles (courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control)

“First and foremost, if you are sick stay home,” said Ms. Cynthia Vojtech, the school nurse. “A lot of kids are coming to school sick and that’s how it spreads.” Something that she always reminds students to do is to cover their mouths with their elbows, not their hands. Vojtech added, “If your child exhibits high fever or respiratory distress, parents should follow up with their health care provider as soon as possible. Medication is available if their physician feels it is warranted.”

Although parents may want to send their children to school, they must be aware that in some cases it would be inappropriate to do so. Calvert County Public Schools has produced a flyer, “Sick Children… Send to School or Keep Home?” According to the flyer, if a student has a sore throat, fever, greenish nose discharge with or without a chronic cough, diarrhea, appears and is behaving irritably, has thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or is vomiting, they should be kept home. They are at risk of making other students and staff members sick. Flyers are available at NHS in Guidance and the Main Office.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the outbreak of the flu is nationwide with 41 states reporting widespread flu activity for the last week reported. A CDC spokesperson stated that this year’s flu season was about five weeks ahead of the average schedule.

Should you still get a flu shot? “It is the beginning of the flu season,” said Vojtech. “It is still a good idea because it takes two weeks for your body to build immunity (from the flu). The flu season extends through March, and if they don’t get it now, it’s always possible they can get it in months to come.”

–Reporting by Claire Gautrois and Matt Schwartz, The Patriot Press

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