Letter sent to Winnebago Area School Leaders for distribution on February 28, 2019.
Dear Parents,
Here are some helpful suggestions to help decrease the spread of illness at home and school:
• Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds in addition to every time after they use the restroom. Monitor young children when they wash their hands for good handwashing technique.
• Be sure to set a good example by practicing good hand washing and coughing practices yourself.
• Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Monitor young children when using hand sanitizers as many can smell good enough to taste.
• Teach your children to cough and sneeze into the inside of their elbow.
• Teach your children not to share drinks with others and to try to keep an arm spans distance away from people who are sick.
• We recommend your children receive a seasonal influenza vaccine and make sure they are up to date on all other immunizations.
• Influenza can be treated with Antiviral medication within the first 48 hours of symptoms - call your doctor’s office if you suspect flu.
• Children who are ill should stay home from school, recreational/social events, and daycare for 24 hours after symptoms subside.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect “frequently touched” surfaces at home such as door knobs and counter-tops: especially when someone is ill.
Wishing you a healthy winter season!
Resources
- State Influenza Report 2/26/19
- February School Illness Report for Winnebago County
- PDF of Letter for Parents
- Visit our seasonal influenza webpage for more resources on the prevention and control of influenza.