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Flu Information and Resources


The Department of Education knows that school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents are especially concerned about the flu this year, particularly its effects on children. Some school districts have seen their students and staff hit hard early this season, with high rates of absenteeism. We also know that schools are being creative about keeping their communities healthy, including posting information about hand washing in restrooms, providing flu messages in daily announcements, and being vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting classroom materials.

We know that school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents have lots of questions about the flu. Our colleagues at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have Stop the Spread of Germs: Actions for Schools where you can access:

  • Preventing the Spread of Influenza (the Flu) in Schools: Interim Guidance for School Administrators, Teachers, and Staff
  • "Be a Germ Stopper" and "Cover Your Cough" posters formatted for printing
  • "It's a Snap" toolkit, which includes activities that school administrators, teachers, students and others can do to help stop the spread of germs in schools
  • Additional resources regarding the flu, hand washing and hygiene, epidemiology, and health

CDC also has a list of questions and answers on its website. Here are some highlights:

How do I know when someone has the flu?

Tests are available that can determine if you have the flu as long as you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days after your symptoms begin. In addition, a doctor's exam may be needed to determine whether a person has another infection that is a complication of the flu.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.  Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

For more information, see Questions & Answers: Cold Versus Flu

How long is a person with flu virus contagious?

The period when an infected person is contagious depends on the age of the person. Adults may be contagious from one day prior to becoming sick and for three to seven days after they first develop symptoms. Some children may be contagious for longer than a week.

Can antiviral drugs cure the flu?

Not exactly. When started within the first two days of illness, they can reduce the duration of the disease but cannot cure it outright. Four different antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir) have been approved for treating the flu. All four drugs can reduce the duration of flu by about one day if taken within 2 days of when symptoms begin.

All of these drugs must be prescribed by a doctor. These drugs are effective against flu viruses, but they are not effective against other viruses or bacteria that can cause symptoms similar to influenza. These drugs are not effective for treating bacterial infections that can occur as complications of influenza.

At what age should a child be vaccinated?

The flu vaccine is not recommended for children younger than 6 months of age. CDC and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that all children ages 6-23 months should receive the flu vaccine, since they are at high risk for complications from the flu.  CDC's website has more information about who should get the flu vaccine

CDC has also provided some additional important information and resources about how to stay healthy this flu season on its website.

In addition to being vaccinated against flu with either the traditional injectable flu vaccine or the new nasal spray vaccine, the following may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like flu:

  1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  2. Stay home from work or school and any school-related activities when you are sick. This will help you recover from your illness and also keep you from spreading your illness to others.

  3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

  4. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based handwipes or gels when soap and water are not available.

  5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Flu Resources for Schools

To find contact information for your state or local health department, go to http://www.cdc.gov/other.htm.

For "Key Facts About the Flu," a fact sheet including information about flu symptoms, how flu spreads, and how to prevent flu, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.

For more information about the nasal-spray flu vaccine, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm.

For more information about treating flu and flu symptoms, including information about why children or teenagers with flu-like symptoms should NOT take aspirin, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/sick.htm.


 
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