Stop flu spread in schools

By Kristian Weatherspoon
Published January 26, 2018

Keeping children germ-free is a near-impossible feat any time of year, but an active flu season makes this task even more important. Because their immune systems are still developing, children under age five are especially susceptible to severe flu complications. In fact, over 300 individuals in Georgia have already been hospitalized with flu-related illness.

As flu cases increase throughout the state, the Georgia Department of Public Health encourages schools to take proactive steps to help keep children, faculty and staff members healthy. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of the flu is the first step in slowing its spread in schools. 

The symptoms of flu can include:

  • Fever (although not everyone with flu has a fever)
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Tiredness
  • Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

When dealing with flu, the best protection is prevention. Some simple steps can help with this.  

  1. Encourage students, parents and staff members to get a yearly flu vaccine.​​​
    • The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each flu season. If influenza is circulating, it is a good time to get vaccinated!​
  2. Encourage students, parents, and staff members to take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.​​
    • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; or cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
    • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  3. Clean and disinfect regularly and correctly during influenza season.
    • ​​Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
  4. Report outbreaks (unusual or increased absences due to respiratory illness) to your local public health officials.

Students and staff members should always stay home if they are ill. Those who get flu-like symptoms should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

For more information on flu visit cdc.gov/flu.