Questions and answers: information for schools

Questions and Answers: Information for Schools
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes that school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents are concerned about the flu, particularly its effects on children. Schools are instrumental in keeping their communities healthy by taking actions such as posting information about hand hygiene in restrooms, providing flu prevention messages in daily announcements, and being vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting classroom materials. The following are some answers to questions commonly asked by school administrators, teachers, staff,
and parents:
What is influenza (flu)?
Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract
(nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people.
How does the flu spread?
The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. (This is called "droplet spread.") This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Though much less frequent, the viruses also can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Influenza is a respiratory illness. Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough,
sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children can have additional gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but these symptoms are uncommon in adults. Although the term "stomach flu" is sometimes used to describe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea, these illnesses are caused by certain other viruses, bacteria, or possibly parasites, and are rarely related to influenza. Please also see "Is it a Cold or the Flu" (
How long is a person with flu virus contagious?
The period when an infected person is contagious depends on the age and health of the person. Studies show that most healthy adults may be able to infect others from 1 day prior to becoming sick and for 5 days after they first develop symptoms. Some young children people with weakened immune systems
may be contagious for longer than a week.
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses.
Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Questions and Answers: Information for Schools
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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.
What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme
tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.
What are influenza antiviral medications?
Influenza antiviral medications are drugs that suppress the ability of influenza viruses to reproduce. When
used correctly, they can reduce the duration of symptoms and some complications from influenza virus
infection.
How are antiviral medications used for flu?
Antiviral drugs are used to prevent and treat the flu. Flu vaccine, however, remains the best way to
prevent the flu. When used for treatment, antiviral drugs that are approved for use in the United States may reduce symptoms, shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days, and help prevent you from giving flu to others. Antiviral drugs most often are used to help control flu outbreaks in places such as nursing homes or hospitals, where people are at high risk for complications from the flu and are in close contact with each other. Note that none of the antiviral drugs are approved for use in children less than 1 year of age.
At what age should a child be vaccinated?
The flu is most severe in younger children and children of any age who have an underlying, long-term illness (such as
heart or lung disease [like asthma], metabolic disease [like diabetes], kidney disease, a blood disorder, or a weakened
immune system). All children 6 months until their 5th birthday should get a flu shot. All children who have an underlying,
long-term illness should also get a flu shot. However, children of any age who want to be protected against the flu should
be vaccinated. Older healthy children 5 years or older can choose to take the nasal vaccine or the injected vaccine. The
nasal vaccine is not approved for use in children younger than 5 years or children who have an underlying, long-term
illness. The flu shot is not approved for use in children less than 6 months old. Children between the ages of 6 months or
older but less than 9 years old who are being vaccinated for the first time should get 2 shots.
What can I do to protect myself against the flu?
By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious
complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each year. However, there are other good health habits
that can help prevent the flu. These are: • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to • If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around • Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Questions and Answers: Information for Schools
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Also, antiviral medications may be used to prevent the flu. For more information, see Questions and Answers: Antiviral Medications (ntiviral Drugs and the Flu (
Where can I get more information about the flu?
For more information and updates about the flu, call the CDC's hotline or visit CDC’s Web site.
You can call the CDC Flu Information Hotline (English and Spanish) at:
Public: 800-CDC (232)-INFO (4636)
Clinician: 877-554-4625 You can visit CDC’s flu web site can access the following: • Information about preventing the spread of flu in schools; • "Be a Germ Stopper" ( and "Cover Your Cough" • "It's a SNAP" toolkit (which includes activities that school administrators, teachers; and students and others can do to help stop the spread of germs Flu Resources for Schools
To find contact information for your state or local health department, go to . For "Key Facts About the Flu," a fact sheet including information about flu symptoms, how flu spreads, and how to prevent flu, go For more information about both the injectable flu vaccine and the intranasal Flu Mist, go to 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 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6358 (TTY).

Source: http://comprehensivehealthservices.dadeschools.net/pdfs/flu_cdc.pdf