Health Information

Sniffles
Staying Flu Free
Usually outbreaks of the flu happen from mid-December until about March. We are seeing it being diagnosed earlier each year. Influenza spreads easily from one person to another. The illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, sending the highly contagious virus into the air.

We are hoping to avoid an outbreak at school. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall. Check with your child’s physician for advice on giving the vaccine to your school-aged children. Most children six months and older can receive the flu vaccine. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to be effective.

Frequent hand washing can also protect you from the getting the flu. Be sure that you teach your children to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, and then immediately wash their hands. To prevent contracting the flu, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, because the virus can be transmitted from your hands.

Be alert for the following symptoms which may indicate the flu:
  • onset of sudden, high fever
  • headache
  • clear runny nose
  • cough
  • severe aches and pains
  • severe exhaustion
  • sore throat is possible
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (common in children, uncommon in adults)

The fever and body aches usually last for 3 – 5 days, but cough and fatigue may last for two weeks or more. For more information about the flu, you may go online at: www.tdh.state.tx.us<http:>

Your physician can perform tests that will show whether or not the illness is the flu. There are some new medications that will decrease the severity of the flu symptoms, but they need to be started within two days from the onset of symptoms. The doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic to prevent a bacterial infection from complicating the flu illness.

Another good defense parents can use to help protect their children from getting the flu, is to make sure they are getting adequate sleep and proper nutrition. A well-rested immune system has a better chance of fighting off the germs that may cause the flu.

And good eating habits with plenty of vitamin-containing fruits and vegetables can also boost the immune system. Hopefully, we will have a healthy winter season.

Mona Clifton, RN
Comanche ISD </http:>

Wash Hands!
Staph Infection Notification
FAQ on Staph
With the recent news reports of skin infections and germs in schools across the country, we want to assure the community that Comanche ISD is taking preventive steps to make certain that our students and staff members are in a well maintained environment.

Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a common germ that many people carry in their nasal passages or on their skin with no ill effects. However, MRSA is a form of staph that is resistance to antibiotics and can spread by direct human contact or with direct contact to infection drainage of someone who is carrying or infected with the bacteria.

Symptoms of a staph infection may include
*a large area of redness on the skin
*swelling and pain
*a pustule, abscess, boil or red, lumpy sores filled with pus.

If left untreated, staph can infect blood and bones, causing severe illness. Comanche ISD is taking precautionary measures to help prevent skin infections by:
  1. Sanitizing all surface areas with an EPA-approved disinfectants
  2. Providing hand sanitizers at every lunch line in the district
  3. Encouraging frequent hand washing with soap and warm water
  4. Encouraging students to avoid contact with other people’s infections
  5. Reminding students to avoid sharing personal items such as towels, deodorant, make-up or soap
We encourage you to be vigilant in looking for signs and symptoms of staph infections. If you or any family member exhibit symptoms described above, you are encouraged to contact your family doctor. For more information please contact:
Mona Clifton, RN
Comanche ISD