Flu is highly contagious and we will take every precaution to ensure it does not spread through the school. In this endeavor we ask for your support, it is imperative that you do not send your child to school if they are sick.

The symptoms of flu to look out for:

• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills. It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

· Cough

· Sore throat

· Runny or stuffy nose

· Muscle or body aches

· Headaches

· Fatigue (tiredness)

· Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea.

Most people tend to be highly contagious for around 3-4 days after the illness starts, however you can infect people from 1 day before the symptoms show to 5-7 days after becoming sick.

Many different virus’ and bacteria can cause a fever and flu like symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to get a correct diagnosis and treatment. The most effective way to prevent the spread of any virus is to stay at home during the contagious period. Practice good hygiene, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it in the bin. If you have no tissue, cover your cough/ sneeze with your arm rather than your hand. Wash your hands frequently with soap or use alcohol gel. Do not share utensils, glasses or water bottles.

Persons diagnosed with confirmed Influenza should remain at home for 5 days after the start of symptoms and only return after this time if there is no further fever.

Regardless of an influenza diagnosis, we ask all parents to please strictly adhere to our school fever policy. No student should be sent to school if they have had a fever of 37.7 and over within the last 24 hours. This includes fever that is controlled using fever reducing medication. Fever reducing medication can be anything with Paracetamol (Tylenol, Panadol, Amiflu, many types of cough and cold medicine), Ibuprofen or Aspirin.

Further information on flu can be found from the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/flu