With the onset of winter comes cold and flu season. As you are aware, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, steps are being taken to reduce the spread of flu at RCSE; however, we need your help.
As parents, you can assist us by doing following:
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Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Handwashing is a must to reduce the spread of H1N1.
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Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with using the elbow, arm, or sleeve - not your hand.
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Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Vomiting or diarrhea may also occur.
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Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may be infected by the flu virus.
The incubation period for the flu or H1N1 is thought to be up to 4 days and a person can remain infectious to others for up to 7 days from the onset of flu symptoms. People who have symptoms of respiratory illness should contact their health care provider.
We encourage everyone to take all possible precautions to prevent the potential spread of germs. We will continue to monitor announcements from the county health department as they are released and advise you of any changes.
