Flu rates continue to be ranked “high” in the State of Arkansas as students across the state return to school. Any time schools reopen, illness will increase as faculty, staff, and students intermingle in close proximity to one another.
To help decrease the spread of flu, parents are encouraged to keep their children home if they are showing any signs of illness. Mild complaints of headaches or stomach aches could be the first symptoms of the flu or other illnesses. In addition to normal flu transmission and symptoms, one variety of flu has mutated this season and is more severe than normal.
After seeing their primary care provider, parents are also encouraged to report their child’s official diagnosis to the school. This will allow the school districts to track the spread of illness and determine if additional sanitation resources are needed or if other measures should be taken.
The flu shot is still available but will take 10-14 days to become fully effective. As with easily transmittable disease, our best defense could be proper hygiene: sneeze into your elbow, wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer.
Peak flu season continues through February.
