THE FLU
What parents need to know to keep kids healthy.
With flu season upon us, it is important that we work together to keep our children and school healthy.
By keeping our children flu-free, we benefit the community as a whole. Additionally, healthy students miss fewer days of school, which results in less stress on the family.
What measures can you take to prevent the flu.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-bases hand sanitizer.
Remember “cough etiquette”
· Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
· Avoid touching your eyes nose or mouth
· Clean things that are touched often such as your phones, remote controls and
refrigerator handles
· Avoid close contact with others who are sick
· Stay home when you are sick
· Encourage you family and friends to do the same
· Talk with your doctor about getting a yearly “flu shot”
MRSA
A lot of information is coming through the media regarding MRSA (the super bug). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a kind of bacteria that is resistant to some kinds of antibiotics.
It, as with any “staph” infection, is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact such as shaking hands, wrestling or other direct contact with the skin of another person. It can also be spread by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph, like towels shared after bathing and /or shared athletic equipment.
Staph infections start when staph gets into a cut, scrape or other break in the skin. People who have skin infections—painful, swollen pimples, boils and rashes for example should be very careful to avoid spreading their infection to others.
MRSA is different from other staph because it cannot be treated with some antibiotics. The right antibiotic must be used. MRSA is just like other staph in almost every other way:
· MRSA can be carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people and usually not cause
an infection that will make them sick
· It can cause minor infections that go away without any special medical treatment
· It is spread the same way as other staph
· The symptoms are the same as other staph infections
Prevention:
· Regular handwashing with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer
· Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered
· Avoid contact with other people’s wounds
· Avoid sharing personal items
· Keep your skin health and avoid getting dry cracked skin
· Contact your doctor if you have a skin infection that does not improve
For more information on MRSA, go to:
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