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Dear Parent or Guardian:
It is our concern to promote quality health for the students in our school and to control and manage communicable diseases. In cooperation with the Fairfax County Health Department, we are sending this health information letter home because we are seeing an increased number of students with influenza-like illness in the school.
The Health Department recommends that you and your family members take the following steps to protect yourselves and others from influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
- Vaccinate your child and yourself against influenza this year and every year.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
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Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw soiled tissues in the trash after use. If tissues are not available, cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Try to avoid close contact with individuals who have flu symptoms.
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Monitor your child for signs of illness. Symptoms of flu include fever plus a cough and/or sore throat.
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Do not send any child experiencing influenza symptoms to school. If your child is sent home with flu like symptoms, keep your child home and away from others until the child has been symptom free and without fever for at least 24 hours (i.e. he or she should not attend school, school functions, sporting or extracurricular activities, or leave the home except to seek medical care).
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Consult with your child’s physician regarding antiviral medication for:
- Children with underlying medical conditions (e.g., asthma, neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine disorders such as diabetes, kidney disorders, liver disorders, metabolic disorders, immunosuppressive conditions, including those taking chronic steroids).
- Children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
If you have questions regarding these recommendations, please contact your physician or the Fairfax County Health Department School Public Health Nurse, Janessa Deal at (703) 376-7365.
Sincerely,
Stacy Kirkpatrick, Principal
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