You may have noticed many of your fellow classmates missing from school. The reason for their sudden absence is the start of the flu season in Florida. According to the Health Care District School Nurse, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe infection, and can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Young childern and older adults, as well as those with certain health conditions, are especially at high risk for serious flu complications. Healthy people aren’t at as much of a risk, but they do run the chance of catching the flu and spreading it to others around them.

For this reason, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting your flu shot this year. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated annually. Our very own Santaluces nurses also highlight how imperative it is to update your emergency contact information with the school. They stress especially to make sure that all working phone numbers are on file for each student, and to make sure to provide the school with any contact changes as well as any new phone numbers, that way parents or guardians will be able to be reached in case of an emergency.

The Health Care District directs a message to parents that says, “If your child has any medical conditions or requires medication in school, please make arrangements to speak to your School Nurse regarding a plan of care for this school year. School Nurses can assist in meeting the health care needs of your child while at school, helping them be better prepared to learn.”

If you are a student unfortunate enough to catch the flu, don’t worry about it. Make sure you are taking all medicines prescribed by your doctor and getting lots of rest. Drink a bowl of soup daily, along with tea and honey, or any other hot drinks that may work to soothe your throat.

To prevent from spreading the flu, our school nurse Ms Shockley suggests that you, of course, “Get a flu shot when available, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, wash hands often with soap or alcohol hand sanitizer, and stay at home if you are ill.”

Make sure to stay healthy, Chiefs.