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Tips for Staying Healthy This Cold and Flu Season

Published December 13, 2012

Cold and flu season is here again. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season in the U.S. is off to its earliest start in nearly a decade.

With that in mind, the Williamson County Schools Health Services Department would like to remind parents, students and staff to practice good health habits and help prevent the spread of germs.

Below are a few tips to help keep you and your child healthy this winter.

  • Stay home when sick: Students and staff with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
  • Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: Students and staff are encouraged to wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
  • Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.

Additional information can be found by viewing the district's ILLNESS POLICY or by visiting the WCS Health Services WEBSITE.