Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Lets Fight the Flu!

EPISD Health Services Department would like to inform everyone that October marks the official month when seasonal influenza starts.  School nursing staff
actively conducts yearly influenza-like symptoms surveillance during the flu season. They monitor all those students that present with fever of 100 degree Fahrenheit and display any flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and fatigue. Those students will be sent home with the instructions not to return to school until, they are fever free without any use of medication for fever. Parents are instructed to seek medical attention if fever and symptoms persist for more than 24 hours.  All school nurses keep a log tracking the number of cases reported and on a weekly basis submits those numbers to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

We would like to remind everyone that good hand washing with the use of soap and water is the best way of practicing preventive measures of spreading communicable diseases.  We will continue to assess, refer, and provide instructions to students, staff, and parents as needed.