According to the CDC, there is no denying that the flu will hit harder than ever this year. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been few to no flu cases. As everyone wore masks to protect themselves from COVID, they were also protecting themselves from the flu or influenza. Thus, fewer flu vaccines were administered over these few years.
Vaccines are the best way to prevent the flu. Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older unless they have a specific contraindication to the flu vaccine. The vaccine viruses are reviewed each year and changed as needed based on international surveillance and a variety of data.
The CDC encourages students, parents, and staff to take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Students and staff should stay home if they are sick, wash their hands throughout the day, cough and sneeze into their arms and wash their hands frequently.
Students and staff are advised to wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, dry their hands with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol may be used.
The flu spreads from airborne droplets from sneezing, coughing and those that land on surfaces.
BHS School Nurse Mrs. Tammy Lafreniere emphasizes to Barrington High School students to stop spitting into trash cans, the ground, and in tissues, as it is a problem at BHS and causes more spreading of germs.
Some flu symptoms include fever, headache, cough, body aches, and vomiting. To reduce the spread at our school, Nurse Tammy recommends students stay home if they have any of these symptoms. Be sure to drink lots of liquids, take medicine, and get lots of rest.
Those who get flu-like symptoms at school should go home and stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Antiviral drugs are prescription drugs that can treat the flu. Antiviral drugs work best when started within the first two days of illness, but they also may help reduce the risk of severe illness even if started two or more days after the onset of illness for persons who are sick.
It is important to get tested by a doctor if you are uncertain if you have the flu. You should only return to school when you feel better.
COVID-19 and the flu have many symptoms in common, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, nausea, or vomiting.
The CDC claims that Because COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose which condition you have based on your symptoms alone. Testing is available to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu.
According to Junior Jack Josephson, who recently experienced the flu, he revealed that he was vaccinated beforehand. Yet, he was tested and only missed one day of school. Prior to returning to school, Josephson said he drank a lot of hot beverages and green tea.
From October until May is flu season and the peak is from December to March. To stay healthy this flu season: get vaccinated, get tested, stay at home, and make sure to get plenty of rest.