Slight Increase in Flu-Like Illnesses
The MC is experiencing a slight increase in cases of flu and flu-like illness. This increase is common during respiratory virus season. Please know we are taking all necessary measures to protect the health and safety of our school.
Do not send your child to school if they have a fever. Children must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and have improving symptoms before returning to school.
If a child comes to school with a fever or develops a fever during the school day, parents/ guardians will be contacted and required to pick up their child immediately. If a parent/guardian is unable to pick up the student, arrangements must be made for another authorized adult to do so promptly.
How Respiratory Illnesses Spread:
Respiratory viruses spread through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. They can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Common Symptoms:
Most respiratory viruses cause similar symptoms, such as:
- Fever or chills
- Cough or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Headaches, muscle or body aches
- Decrease in appetite
Important Note: Flu cannot be distinguished by symptoms alone. The only way to tell the difference is through testing.
How to Reduce the Risk:
- Stay Home When Sick: Keep children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and symptoms are improving.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Encourage frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer.
- Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or elbow.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Do not share utensils, drinks, or lip balm.
- Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces: Clean commonly touched items at home regularly.
If Your Child Becomes Sick:
- Keep them home until fever, vomiting, and diarrhea are gone for at least 24 hours without medication, and other symptoms are improving.
- Consider testing for flu if they develop respiratory symptoms.
- Seek medical care if your child has difficulty breathing, persistent or very high fever, signs of dehydration, symptoms that worsen or fail to improve after a few days.
- Notify the school of your child’s illness so that we can take necessary precautions.
For more guidance on when to keep your child home, please visit the APS Health Services website at https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/office-of-schools/health-services. To learn more about respiratory illnesses, visit https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flu-vs-cold.html.