- Walsh Middle School
- Homepage
Health & Wellness | 2019 Flu Advisory
Flu Advisory - January 2019
Rates of flu-like illness rose in Massachusetts in the past seven days, according to the latest weekly Massachusetts Department of Public Health flu report.
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through coughs and sneezes of infected people. Less often, a person also might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose. People of all ages get sick with flu. School-aged children are a group with a high rate of flu illness.
Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
The good news is that it is not too late to protect yourself and your family from the flu by getting a flu shot. There is still plenty of flu vaccine available in communities across Massachusetts. Call your health care provider to schedule a visit for a flu shot, visit a local pharmacy, or search for flu vaccination locations at https://vaccinefinder.org/.
Here are several recommendations to protect your children and family members from the flu:
- Take time to get a flu vaccine.
- Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, health experts recommend that you and/or your sick children stay home from school or work for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
If you have questions about the flu, check with your school nurse or healthcare provider. Stay well!
Framingham Public Schools
Department of Health and Wellness