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Tips for Staying Healthy This Cold and Flu Season

Published October 13, 2016

The dawning of another fall season brings with it changing leaves and cooler weather, but it also marks the start of cold and flu season.

In order to stay healthy this fall, here’s some reminders to share with your children to help keep them in class and out of the doctor’s office.

Cover your mouth and nose

One of the most common ways to spread sickness is by not covering your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing. Openly coughing or sneezing allows airborne germs to spread over large distances. Make sure to remind children to always cover their mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing to limit the spread of infectious particles.

Wash your hands frequently

Washing your hands and keeping them clean is the best way to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to others. Make sure to always wash your hands:

  • before or after preparing food
  • before eating
  • before and after interacting with someone who is sick
  • after using the toilet
  • after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • after touching garbage
  • after touching an animal, animal food or animal waste

Know when to stay home

Despite your best efforts, sometimes getting sick is unavoidable. If your child does fall ill, make sure to follow the district’s illness guidelines to determine if your child should stay home from school.

If you think that your child might have a fever, please check his/her temperature before sending him/her to school. Your child should not be sent to school until he/she has been fever free for at least 24 hours without taking a fever reducing medication.