Today, the Stamford Public School Director of Health, Jennifer A.M. Calder sent a letter about flu cases in the schools and how to prevent the spread. It says that there have been reports of increased influenza activity in the community and within schools state-wide including Stamford.
There are some simple steps that you can take to prevent your child from becoming ill and to prevent transmission of influenza to others:
-
If your child has not yet been vaccinated against influenza this year, there is still time to get a flu shot.
-
Signs and symptoms of influenza may include, a cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose, muscle aches, and a fever. If your child is sick you should see your child’s pediatrician.
-
If you child’s pediatrician prescribes medication for your child, make sure that your child takes the medication that has been prescribed.
-
Do not send your child to school while sick.
-
Your child may return to school 24 hours after all symptoms including a fever have stopped.
-
Your child should avoid being close to persons who are sick.
-
Please teach your child to:
-
Cover his or her nose and mouth and sneeze into a tissue or to sneeze into his or her upper sleeve and throw the tissue into the wastepaper basket, and
-
After sneezing, wash his or her hands with warm soap and water or use an alcohol hand sanitizer.
-
What actions are the Department of Health taking?
-
School nurses will be keeping track of students who come to the nursing office with flu like symptoms.
-
Please call the nursing office at your school to report if your child has any signs and symptoms of influenza or has been diagnosed with influenza by his or her pediatrician.
-
The Department is working with the Board of Education to educate parents and staff about measures to prevent the transmission of influenza.
-
The Department of Health will be hosting a free influenza clinic on February 1, 2020 from 9 am to 12 pm at the Government Center.
Information c/o Stamford Public Schools