Some of our students in the school have been experiencing signs and symptoms of Influenza (commonly known as the flu). The signs and symptoms include coughing, fever, sore throat, chills, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, and not feeling well. If you feel that your child is exhibiting these symptoms or would like for your child to receive a flu or COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your physician or healthcare provider.

Please know there are actions you can take to help reduce your exposure to respiratory infections and flu. Prevention is certainly the best intervention when combating the spread of any illness, whether it is the common cold, flu, COVID-19, etc. The following are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners/hand sanitizers are also effective when soap and water are unavailable.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Keeping sick children at home until their illness has run its course or as recommended by a health care provider.
• Have your family vaccinated against the seasonal flu.

As a reminder, anyone experiencing an upper respiratory and/or flu-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should keep away from others as much as possible, stay home, and not attend school or go into the community (except to seek medical care or for other necessities). They should also remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours and do not require medications to reduce the fever. Recovering students may need to stay home for a longer period as directed by a health care provider. We are also taking extra cleaning measures in consultation with our Environmental Services Department.

Should your child be diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection or flu, please contact the school clinic so we can follow up with you and track student illnesses. We hope this information is helpful. However, it is not meant for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the school clinic at 470-254-2883.

• For more information on understanding the difference between flue, COVID-19, cold, and allergies
• For additional resources from the Office of District Health Services