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Burlington Township Schools
Falcon Flyer Special Edition
Influenza Guide
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We are all aware that the cold and flu season is peaking throughout the country. I thought it was important to send this special edition of the Falcon Flyer out as a reminder that it is important to be vigilant with preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing.
It is also important that parents remember the "24 hour rule." If your child has a fever over 100 degrees, your child must stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours.
This special edition of the Falcon Flyer will focus on valuable resources for our entire community. Be sure to check out the great student interactive links below to help teach your children about proper hygiene that can help prevent the spread of germs.
If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, there is still time. Visit your physician or local pharmacy to get vaccinated.
We all know that the best protection against germs is hand washing. Check out the Squirmie Germie video from Hip-Hop Health. FWS alumni will certainly remember this edu-taining video with a powerful message made by BTHS alumni Kurtis Johnson from the Class of 87. Gather the family around the computer and click this link to do the
Squirmie Germie video!
Have a great weekend.
Liz
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| School Exclusion Information |
What is the exclusion period from school for those with flu-like symptoms?
The exclusion period shall be applicable to all Burlington Township students and employees.
The CDC recommends that those with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
** If your child develops flu-like symptoms, you MUST keep your child home from school, AND you MUST contact the school nurse to report the symptoms. Parents and guardians are instructed to contact their family physician about any student exhibiting these types of symptoms.
If you have any questions about this matter, you should contact your school nurse:
B. Bernice Young School - Nurse Jessica Moore,
609-386-3520 option 3
Fountain Woods Elementary School - Nurse Mary Kerstetter,
609-387-1799 ext. 3004
Burlington Township Middle School - Nurse Nancy Andorko,
609-699-4021, ext. 4024
Hopkins High School Building - Nurse Nora Cochran,
609-387-3774 ext. 2006
Burlington Township High School - Nurse Virginia Rulli,
609-387-1713 ext. 1022
Finally, please remember, if your child develops flu-like symptoms, do not send him/her to school, contact the school nurse, and contact your family physician.
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| Wash Your Hands! |
 Public Service Announcement
What can be done to prevent the flu?
Need a reminder? Just do the Squirmie Germie!
There's not a great deal you can do, health officials say, beyond taking common sense steps to reduce the risk.
1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds -- particularly after going to the bathroom and changing diapers.
2. Clean and disinfect surfaces that are regularly touched by different people, such as toys and doorknobs.
3. Avoid shaking hands, kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
Stay home if you don't feel well!
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| Norovirus |
Tis the season for Norovirus. Take a moment to read this important flyer from the Department of Health about Norovirus.
Remember, if your child has symptoms, they must stay home and be symptom free for 24 hours!
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| Burlington County Health Department Resources |
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Department of Health Immunization Requirements
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| Tips for Parents |
This public service announcement is to provide information regarding the flu. Be sure to visit the Burlington County Health Department website for updated information on the flu.
How does flu virus spread?
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by those with influenza. Influenza virus can survive on surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by food.
What are the signs and symptoms of the flu virus in people?
The symptoms of the flu include fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit taken by thermometer, accompanied by the following:
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· May include diarrhea and/or vomiting
How severe is illness associated with the flu virus?
Illness with the virus ranges from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred, mostly in "high risk" groups.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Good Hygiene Practices
The following good hygiene should be regularly practiced by everyone.
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue (or sleeve). Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
· Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand-washing is not possible.
· Try to avoid contact with sick people.
· Stay home if you are sick, especially with a fever.
Vaccinations
As always, a vaccine is available to protect against seasonal influenza. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
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| Cover Your Cough |
 Stop the spread of germs that can make you and others sick!
Influenza (flu) and other serious respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
To help stop the spread of germs,
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- You may be asked to put on a facemask to protect others.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
-http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
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| Influenza Family Resource Center |
For More Information :
All you have to do is wash your hands Podcast: This Podcast teaches children how and when to wash their hands properly.
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11072
Protecting Against the Flu: Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old: Research has shown that children less than 5 years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm
BAM! Body and Mind. Teacher's Corner: In this activity, students will conduct an experiment on washing their hands. They will learn that "clean" hands may not be so clean after all and the critical importance of washing their hands as a way to prevent the spread of disease.
Wash Your Hands (Video)
Cover your Cough Posters: Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick! Printable formats of "Cover Your Cough." Posters only available as PDF files.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
CDC - Be a Germ Stopper: Posters and Materials: For Community and Public Settings Like Schools and Child Care Facilities. Cover Your Cough also available for health care settings.
Be A Germ Stopper
"It's a SNAP" Toolkit Program materials to help prevent school absenteeism activities for school administrators, teachers, students and what others can do to help stop the spread of germs in schools. Check out the
SNAP Toolkit.
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Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
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Due to the increased incidence of pertussis cases in Burlington County, the Burlington County Health Department has provided the following information:
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough, another name for pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory disease caused by bacteria, Bordetella pertussis. It can be serious for anyone, but life-threatening for newborns and infants.
What are the symptoms?
Pertussis often begins like the common cold, with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and a mild cough. After 1 or 2 weeks, the symptoms become more severe, and include violent coughing spells, vomiting during cough, and a "whoop" sound from trying to gasp for breath. Babies and young children can turn blue while coughing from lack of oxygen. Young babies may also stop breathing for short periods.
How is pertussis spread?
Pertussis is spread through the air by infectious droplets, while an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Other people nearby can then breathe in the bacteria.
How long does it take to show signs after being exposed to pertussis?
The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease can be anywhere from 7 to 21 days.
How serious is whooping cough? This disease is most dangerous for babies and young children. More than half of babies younger than 1 year old who get the disease need care in the hospital. About 1 in 5 babies will get pneumonia. Whooping cough can also result in seizures, brain damage, or death.
What should I do if I suspect pertussis?
Do not send your child to school if you suspect they have pertussis. Remember that your child may have
classmates or teachers with infants at home that could develop a serious form of the disease. If you suspect you, your child, or anyone in your family has pertussis, you should consult your physician. A physician will most likely take a specimen by swabbing the back of your throat.
What will happen if my child is diagnosed with pertussis?
If your child is diagnosed with pertussis, your physician will prescribe antibiotics. Since pertussis is contagious, the physician will also prescribe antibiotics to the entire household, regardless of vaccination status. Your physician might also recommend a booster dose of vaccine for your child or other family members. You should also contact the school nurse. It is important that the child remain home from school until 5 days after the start of antibiotics.
How can I prevent pertussis?
Make sure everyone in your household is properly vaccinated. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) is generally given to children 6 weeks to 6 years old. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination can be given to adolescents and adults, including those that are pregnant or elderly. |
| Where Can I Get a Free Flu Shot? |
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There are plenty of places where you and your family can receive flu shots. Please consider the following information:
1.
Check your family physician through your health insurance
company.
Indirectly, through your employer or if you have a public
health
insurance exchange, your health insurance is required to pay for
your
flu shot without any co-sharing, due to
Affordable Care
Act
coverage
rules, when given by an in-network provider.
2.
Check the local county health department.
Many county health
departments offer free flu shots to children and the elderly.
to
residents who are uninsured, under-
insured, school-aged children,
adults, or residents that are traveling
internationally to ensure
they
keep themselves healthy and protected.
3. Can't get an appointment with your family physician or at the local
health department? Stop by your local pharmacy to receive a flu shot.
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