Current Concerns

This month's concern is: The Flu

What are the symptoms?
Flu is a respiratory illness, which includes fever, headache, feeling of being tired, ough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and achy muscles...CHILDREN can have these ot other symptoms - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. (These symptoms are uncommon is adults).

When is flu season?
Flu is usually from late December through March. (We already have verified cases in AHISD).

How does flu spread?
Flu is spread by droplets when we cough, sneeze, or speak, sending the virus into the air, where others inhale and cause flu to spread.

How soon will I get the Flu, after I am exposed?
The average incubation period for flu is 2-4 days.

How long am I contagious?
You are contagious from approximately, one day PRIOR to becoming ill and 4-7 days after the first symptoms develop. CHILDREN may be contagious for longer than a week.

IF YOU HAVE THE FLU...
Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) to help with the fever and aches. Tylenol is not as likely to upset the stomach. NEVER USE ASPIRIN in anyone under 18 years of age.
Use cough drops and/or gargle with warm salt water to ease the sore throat.
Run a humidifier in the bedroom or in the room where you are to ease the stuffy nose and scratchy throat.
Apply ointment to the raw red nose area.
Get PLENTY of REST
DRINK lots of water and juices. Avoid sodas as your only fluid, they are acidic and may make the stomach hurt.
Contact your DOCTOR if:
High Fever>102 degrees
Ear pain
A cough that gets worse when other symptoms get better
A flare-up with asthma or other chronic illnesses of the lungs.

PREVENTION OF FLU:
Avoid close contact with people who are ill. When YOU are sick, STAY AWAY from others.
COVER your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Properly discard tissues.
WASH YOUR HANDS! Before eating, after going to the bathroom, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, after shaking hands with others and when you come in from the outside. It protects you from germs.
AVOID touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. That's how germs are spread.
Clean "surfaces" that are "touched" daily with antimicrobial wipes - doorknobs, tables, your "keyboard and mouse" for starters.