Alton Middle School

Illness Update:

9/23/20- We are seeing teens with minor cold symptoms showing up positive for COVID-19. Lately, less than 30% of our Positive COVID cases have actually had a fever. This makes us aware that we can not go off of absence of fever alone to exclude a child from in-person class. If your child is experiencing ANY two symptoms- headache, nausea, cough, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, fever; or any one of these symptoms- loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, persistent cough- they should not attend school and please reach out to the school nurse for a return to school plan.


12/9/19- We have confirmed cases of Influenza B at the middle school. This presents with respiratory, body aches, and stomach (digestive) problems. If your student shows these signs, please schedule a visit at the doctor to be tested and follow doctor instructions for when you can come back to school.

1/29/19- The Alton Middle School has seen an increase in absences due to Flu like symptoms with over 10% of our students out today. We have had positive Influenza A diagnosis in the building. This usually starts with a headache or sore throat and progresses to a fever, cough, and general weakness and fatigue. Please keep your child home from school if these first symptoms appear.


1/25/19- Influenza has been confirmed in all four school buildings as well as a stomach bug that causes diarrhea and vomiting.

Here are 5 things to consider:

First, educate yourself on the difference between a Cold and the Flu. Both are caused by a viruses but Influenza is more severe. See the chart attached!

Second, look for early signs of Influenza or ANY sickness in your child. At the middle school, we have seen' headache' as the first sign of sickness as well as 'upset stomach' even with no fever present at first.

-fever/chills (can be low grade) 99.2 or above can indicate some type of body response to a virus.

-stuffy or runny nose

-headaches

-muscle aches

-cough/congestion

-sore throat

-fatigue

If your student has two or more of the symptoms below, they should remain at home to rest and re-hydrate. If your student begins to show these signs at school, it may be necessary to pick up your child. Please check your emergency contact information to ensure it's up to date.

-extreme headache

-body aches

-uncontrollable cough

-extreme sore throat

-extreme fatigue

-Fever over 100.0

-vomiting

-diarrhea

Third, keep your child home when they are sick or you suspect they are getting sick. Your student could spread a contagious disease to other students and/or faculty and staff. REMEMBER, your child MUST be fever-free (under 99.9) for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of tylenol or ibuprofen before returning to school. Even though your child may feel much better, this time frame ensures the virus will not be spread.

Fourth, we encourage you to seek medical advice if your child becomes sick. Having them tested for Influenza can help with treatment of symptoms, prepare your family, and give you a rough time frame of when they should be feeling better. Please feel free to reach out to our office or school nurse if you are questioning sending your child to school! nurse@mocfv.org or 756-4128

Finally, keep your student healthy by practicing healthy behaviors!

-Please enforce the “cough in the elbow” technique if tissues are not available.

-Help your kids avoid touching their eyes, mouth, and nose!

-If appropriate, give your child a vitamin for immune support

-Encourage fluids and healthy eating

-Try earlier bedtimes during flu season to help their immune systems stay strong

-The flu virus can live on a surface for up to 48 hours, but it is also very fragile….so…..kill it with wipes or spray!!!!

-Again, if you’re sick, stay home and have a separate area in your home for sick family members.

HOW TO GET RID OF COLD SYMPTOMS AND COUGHING

  1. Honey and cinnamon: For kids older than 12 months, one recommended cold remedy is to give them 1 teaspoon honey and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Offer by the spoonful, or spread it on toast.

  2. Vapo-dough!: Add a few drops of eucalyptus, an essential oil that eases congestion, to modeling dough – just make sure kids don’t nibble!

  3. Hands-on therapy: Doctors recommend tapping your child’s back with a cupped hand to loosen chest congestion. (Have him lie across your lap or sit on your lap leaning forward about 30 degrees.)

  4. Saline for stuffy nose: A bulb syringe spritz of preservative-free saline solution is good for kids older than six months.

  5. Steamy relief: Look for bath products designed to help stuffed up kids breathe easier.

  6. Raise his head: If your child doesn’t already sleep with a pillow, slide a few under his mattress to keep his head slightly elevated, which helps relieve congestion.

HOW TO SOOTHE A TUMMY ACHE

  1. Homemade heating pad: A wool sock full of uncooked rice, knotted at the top, can be warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds and placed on tummy.

  2. Use tiny cups: Help kids reintroduce liquids slowly. Use little cups (try paper ones with cartoon characters to make it fun).

  3. DIY electrolyte solution: Mix 4 cups water, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon fruit-flavored gelatin mix (optional, for flavoring)

  4. Serve the BRAT diet: Don’t take that personally, it’s an acronym to help you remember Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast – they’re easily digested foods to serve as your little one recuperates.

HOW TO HELP FEVER OR FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

  1. Homemade juice popsicles: These help your child cool off and increase his fluid intake at the same time.

  2. A lukewarm bath: Doctors recommend a bath with just a few inches of warm (not cold) water to bring down a high temperature. Take them out before they begin to shiver.

  3. Warm towels: If your child has the chills, pop their towels and blanket in the dryer before using for extra comfort.

  4. Cuter cold compresses: Upcycle old flannel pajamas, or buy flannel fabric with your kiddo’s favorite characters, to increase the odds that your child will leave cool compresses in place for more than a few moments!

  5. OTC medication: If your child has a fever or body aches, you can treat them with over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Use as directed.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH ANY ILLNESS

  1. Use “get well” sheets: Have a set of special sheets and bedding ready for your sick child. You can drape these over the couch, too. (This also signals that the rest of the family should keep a safe distance!)

  2. Grab a bucket: Your child can tote around his own small bucket lined with a plastic bag. This helps keep used tissues (or worse!) safely contained.

  3. Screen gems: If a little screen time helps your child rest and recuperate, let him indulge.

  4. Sleep easy: A little lavender in the bath before bed may help your little one sleep better and get well.

REMEMBER: Your child MUST be fever free/ vomit free/ diarrhea free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of medication (ex. Tylenol) before returning to school! Even though your child may feel better before the 24 hours are up, they still carry germs that can spread to others. Please call the school with any questions!