Pertussis, enterovirus, and flu bugs…oh my!

‘Tis the season for all manner of illnesses to be passed amongst family members, co-workers, and within our schools. Help keep your family healthy this holiday seasonwith the following reminders:

--WASH HANDS for at least 20 seconds- this is the best way to avoid illness.

--VAMPIRE SNEEZE. Cough into your elbow.

--DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH- this is how germs can enter your body.

--SHARING IS NOT CARING. Do not share cups or eating utensils.

--KEEP IT CLEAN. If someone at home is sick, clean common surfaces frequently.

--DOCTOR! DOCTOR! If you or your children are sick and experiencing any difficulty breathing, see you doctor right away.

--GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT. The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for anyone over the age of 6 months and a Tdap booster for everyone 11 to 64 years old.

Please keep your childhome if he/she has any of the following:

--Fever Over 100-- Children should be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medication) prior to returning to school.

--Vomiting or Diarrhea-- If they happen more than once, your child should stay home. If this happens in the morning before school starts, consider keeping your child home a few hours to watch them.

--Skin Rashes--For any rash with a fever, the child should stay home until the fever is gone. It is also necessary to have any unexplained rash checked by the doctor to determine if the rash is contagious.

--Red Eyes with drainage or crusting-- It is necessary to have your child checked by a doctor to determine whether it is contagious.

--Head Lice, Scabies, or other parasites-- Children need to stay home until they have been treated appropriately.

Please notify the school if your child is out with any contagious illness.