FLU INFORMATION

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be common this flu season.  The 2012-13 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, and two other viruses that are expected to cause illness.  All children ages 6 months through 19 years are advised to get a flu shot. Two doses of flu vaccine may be needed for children ages 6 months to 9 years.  Contact your health care provider or pharmacy for advice.  The CDC recommends flu shots for all persons ages 6 months and older especially those at risk for complications (pregnant women, persons with asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions). For more flu facts, frequently asked questions about vaccines and to locate a vaccine clinic http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/immunization/fluseason

To avoid the flu and other communicable illnesses
Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, especially after coughing or sneezing.

Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or utensils, and to use a tissue over their nose and mouth for coughs and sneezes, not their hands. They should avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth-germs spread this way.

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms include:

• Fever (a temperature of 100 degrees F/ 37.8 C or greater as measured by a thermometer) or signs of fever (chills, feeling very warm, having a flushed appearance or sweating)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches
• Headache 
• Feeling very tired

Check your children before school and keep them home for flu symptoms for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications (medicines that contain Tylenol or Ibuprofen). Children at school with flu symptoms will be sent home. Also, people at greater risk for complications should call their health care provider right away if they become sick to find out if they should take anti-viral medication.

Please update your contact and emergency contact numbers at your child's school and plan to pick up a sick child within the hour. Parents are advised to arrange for childcare now in case your child becomes ill and is unable to attend school.

To better track flu illness rates, when you report an absence, please tell your school if your student has "flu-like symptoms" (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills).     

Pertussis/Whooping Cough
Our state’s whooping cough epidemic is still in full swing with more than 4,000 reported cases, 600 in King County — school-age kids account for most of them. State health officials are concerned that the combination of kids in school and circulating disease could lead to more whooping cough cases.  “Now that kids are back in school and around each other for longer periods of time, germs can spread more easily,” said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes, a pediatrician. “It’s important for kids and everyone around them, including teachers and other caregivers, to practice good health habits and make sure their immunizations are up to date.”  For more information: www.nsd.org/whoopingcough.