Silent but Deadly

Flu season is here! Learn what you can do to protect your family.

 

Attention Beaver Local parents and students! Each year about 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized from flu complications. That’s right, flu season is upon us. The Flu (influenza) has been traveling around Beaver Local and many other schools recently. The school janitors are taking action on Friday by going through the school and sanitizing all surfaces! Beaver Local administration hope this helps cut down on the illness and spread of sickness in the school.

Many children and adults have been getting extremely ill due to the influenza strains circulating this year. What’s crazy about this flu is that it seems to be severe and very dangerous. Tragically, two children from the Columbiana County area have passed away due to complications associated with Influenza A. The flu has been spreading like a wildfire, and it is highly suggested that if you’re sick, you need to take action immediately.

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can obtain the flu just by simply touching something that has been infected. There are many different precautions parents and students can take to prevent the sickness. Make sure your child is up to date on the flu vaccination, stay away from those who are sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your hands when sneezing or coughing, wash hands often with water AND soap, and avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth. It is also not too late to get a flu shot. It does take about a week for the flu shot to begin to protect you, but it is still very helpful in prevention.
If you or your child catches the flu, make sure you get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You should also go to the doctor to be tested for the flu. Antiviral drugs can be prescribed to help treat the flu, but the sooner they are prescribed the more effective they are. If you suspect you may have the flu, it is best to get into the doctor as early on as possible. If sick, it’s a good idea to stay home to prevent the spread of the sickness to others. 24 hours after a fever is gone, it’s okay to go back to school if you don’t feel staying home is necessary any longer, but rest will help you on your way to getting healthy. Teachers and staff at Beaver Local are very accommodating and can send work home for your child to help give them time to recuperate without spreading the flu.

Many children around the area have been affected with this bug and immediate action is best. This flu, sadly, has been fatal in some instances and should not be taken lightly. Keep an eye out for symptoms and be sure to take every action possible, like thorough hand washing,  to prevent catching the flu.