The season has arrived for colds and flu. Viruses cause colds and flu. These
viral infections are usually spread by direct or indirect contact of an infected
person. The virus can live for several hours on a variety of surfaces. This
is why it is important to have good hygiene habits. Other reminders include
the
following:
• Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing. By covering your mouth with the
inside of your bent elbow you avoid contamination of your hands.
•
Throw away used tissue and wash hand frequently
•
Don't share food or drink.
•
Secondhand smoke increases the rate of respiratory illness in children.
•
Encourage plenty of sleep, fluids and a balanced diet.
Whereas, allergies are caused by environmental exposure to such things as dust,
mold animals, ragweed, smoke, etc. To help control symptoms the best
method is to avoid exposure. The next step would be to consult with a physician
regarding a plan of care to avoid incidents of symptoms. The plan of care may
include preventive measure such as antihistamines etc. It can be confusing
to know what your child has. Does he/she have a cold, flu or is it their allergies?
The follow will provide information on symptoms:
Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
Fever |
Occasionally (low grade) |
Characteristic High (102-104 F) Sudden Onset: lasts
3-4 days |
Headache |
Occasionally |
Prominent |
General aches and pains |
Slight |
Usual: often quite severe |
Fatigue and weekness |
Mild |
Extreme: can last 2-3 weeks |
Prostration( extreme exhaustion) |
Never |
Early and prominent |
Runny, stuffy nose |
Common |
Sometimes |
Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
Sore throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
Chest discomfort, cough |
Mild to moderate; hacking cough |
Common: can be severe |
Allergy |
Cold |
Nasal discharge remains watery |
Nasal discharge gradually thickens and crusts |
More sneezing |
Less sneezing |
Little or no cough |
Cough starts dry and becomes loose. Worse with exertion. |
Comes and goes during entire season |
Duration 1-3 weeks |
Eyes usually red |
Eyes usually not red |
Fewer lymph nodes in neck |
More neck nodes |
Referral to physician is advised for the complications such as ear-ache, fever, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, sore throat and chronic cough. Martin's Mill ISD encourages parents to keep their children home 24 hours after a fever and symptoms subside to ensure that they are well enough to be in school. This eliminates exposure to others and allows the student to return with optimal wellness. Please refer to the Martin's Mill ISD handbook for detailed guidelines on why children are sent home and when they should return to school. Let's keep our school healthy!