High School

Illness Update:

9/23/20- We are seeing younger kids 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.

1/29/19- We have had positive Influenza A diagnosis. This usually starts with a headache or sore throat and progresses to a fever, cough, and general weakness and fatigue. 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 737-4871

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 HIGH 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 737-4871

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.