Stay Healthy, CKS!

As we enter pollen season and the peak of flu season, I wanted to give you some information on allergies, colds and the flu so that we can work together to keep our students healthy.

Lori Ossi, RN

CKS Minute Clinic

Three things to remember before sending your child to school with any symptoms:

1 - A thermometer is a good investment.  As much as we like to think that a mother’s touch can accurately take a temperature, it is not a definitive indicator.  If you think your child may have a fever, please use a thermometer to find out.

2 - The CKS Minute Clinic does not stock over the counter medications. If you would like any over the counter or prescription medication dispensed to your child, you must provide the medicine with a signed medication authorization form. This includes medication taken to treat cold or allergies, including antihistamines.

3 - Students must be fever-free (temp < 100.5) for 24 hours before returning to school.  

Please read below for some helpful information from the CDC:

Signs and Symptoms of Allergies

• Sneezing
• Itchy, red watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat 

Signs and Symptoms of Flu 

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea; this is more common in children than adults

How Flu Spreads

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

Preventing Flu

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

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 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 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.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult 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 tell if a person has the flu.

Useful links and apps:

AllergyAlert for iphones

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology http://www.aaaai.org/

www.cdc.gov