Staying Healthy
February 12, 2008
With winter keeping us all indoors more, our exposure to germs multiplies into more illnesses. At all three attendance centers in the last couple of weeks, parents have been reporting diagnoses of influenza within families. USD 323 policy for all students (and staff) requires that students with vomiting or a fever (100 degrees or above) be home until a full 24 hours have passed without these symptoms.
Sometimes influenza may take a week to resolve and parents wonder about what to do and when to worry. The common “cold” can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. Generally symptoms begin gradually and are confined to runny nose, sneezing, occasionally a cough or a low grade fever. Symptoms sometimes can be less severe with OTC pain medications. In other cases, viruses may cause symptoms referred to as “stomach flu” which can usually be treated at home with fluids and rest until symptoms disappear. Influenza usually comes on suddenly, often with fever accompanied by chills, muscle aches, weakness, and headaches. There are only three types of virus which cause influenza and the “flu vaccine” given each fall may protect against some types.
Most people with colds or flu recover without professional medical help but when fever exceeds 103 degrees OR is above normal for more than three days OR when symptoms persist for more than a week, call a doctor. Although infections from viruses are not treated with antibiotics, influenza can sometimes be shortened with the appropriate antiviral medication. In other cases, a “secondary” bacterial infection may follow, so see a doctor if yellow or greenish nasal discharge or an ear ache develops.
