Parent Information

View the Flu Guide for Parents

 Parents/Guardians

The flu season is upon us.  Please do not send your children to school if they have symptoms listed below.  Communicate with your student’s teacher, principal or school nurse re: the reason for their absence

What are the symptoms of the Flu?

Influenza, commonly known as the “Flu”, is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus.  Symptoms of influenza begin suddenly and include fever, headache, chills, body/muscle aches, extreme tiredness, dry cough, and sore throat.  Young children may also have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Nausea and vomiting alone, often reported as the “stomach flu”, are often caused by other factors and are not influenza.

How is Flu Spread?

Influenza is easily spread from person-to-person through the air by coughing or sneezing.  Surfaces and hands contaminated with nose, mouth, or throat secretions can also spread influenza viruses.  An infected person may spread influenza one day before having symptoms and up to seven days after becoming ill.

Prevention: The flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu.  However, there are other good health habits that help prevent the flu 1)keep distance from people who are sick or distance yourself from people when you are sick: 2)cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; 3) wash your hands often: 4) avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

How is Flu Diagnosed/treated?

Should your child present any of the symptoms, we recommend that you consult your family health care provider. Anti-viral medications are available by prescription that may reduce the length of the illness.  Any student presenting these signs and symptoms will be excluded from school. Please note:  Students must be fever free (without the aid of fever reducing medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.

How do I get more information?

For more information about flu, contact your healthcare provider, school nurse or visit the following website: www.cdc.gov

http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/influenza/prevention.html

Who should get the influenza (flu) vaccine?

• The flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone age 6 months or older.

 Who should be vaccinated against influenza because they are at increased risk?

• Children 6 months of age through 5 years Adults 65 years of age or older
• Pregnant women
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who have medical conditions including the following:
  • Asthma
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Heart disease
  • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver disorders
  • Weakened immune systems due to disease or medication (such as HIV/AIDS or cancer)
  • People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  • People with extreme obesity

What are the common vaccine side effects and risks?

• Flu vaccines are safe, but some side effects can occur.
• Minor problems following the flu vaccine include soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot, hoarseness, sore, red or itchy eyes, cough, fever, aches, headache, itching, and fatigue.
• More serious problems may include Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in fewer than 1 or 2 cases per one million people vaccinated, children receiving multiple vaccines slightly increase in fever with seizure.
• People who should not get the flu vaccine include anyone with severe, life threatening allergies, had GBS before, or not feeling well the day of vaccination.

 Where can I find more information?

• Ask your doctor.
• Ask you school nurse.
• Call the Alabama Department of Public Health, Immunization Division, at 1-800-469-4599.
• Go to cdc.gov and type influenza in the SEARCH box.

 

Alabama Department of Public Health
Immunization Division, 201 Monroe St, Montgomery, AL 36104
1-800-469-4599 www.adph.org/imm 2/29/16

What is influenza disease?

• Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
• The virus infects the nose, throat, and lungs.
• It can cause mild to severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.

What are the symptoms?

• Anyone can get flu and it strikes suddenly and can last several days.
• Symptoms of flu disease may include:
  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose o Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches o Fatigue (very tired)
  • Vomiting and diarrhea

How does influenza disease spread?

• Flu is spread by:
  • An infected person’s droplets from cough, sneeze or talk enter the mouth, eye or nose.
  • Touching a surface or object with flu virus on it and then touching mouth, eyes or nose.
• An infected person can infect others 1 day before symptoms start and up to 5 to 7 days after symptoms start.
• Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

How do I prevent the flu?

• Get a yearly flu vaccine.
• Wash your hands properly and often.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with arm.
• Clean and sterilize surfaces.
• Stay home if you are sick.

Where can I find more information?

• Ask your doctor.
• Call the Alabama Department of Public Health, Immunization Division, at 1-800-469-4599.
• Go to cdc.gov and type influenza in the SEARCH box.

 

Alabama Department of Public Health
Immunization Division, 201 Monroe St, Montgomery, AL 36104
1-800-469-4599 www.adph.org/imm 2/29/16