Nurse's Corner

November Healthy Hints   

Welcome to November, the official start of the holiday…and flu season! 

The flu is a viral illness most often seen from October through March each year. Spread by droplets (coughing or sneezing) or direct contact with infected items, a person is contagious from 1 day prior until 7 days after symptoms appear. Children may be contagious even longer.   Being vaccinated against the flu, hand washing, and proper hygiene are keys to staying healthy.

The flu vaccine is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for anyone over the age of 6 months and especially for those who are most at risk for complications: young children, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and people who are immune-compromised or have chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. Since children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated, anyone caring for them should be.

Although people may believe that “they got the flu from the vaccine,” the vaccine is made from a dead virus so it cannot cause illness. There are a few reasons for experiencing flu-like symptoms after the vaccine. Some of the vaccine’s minor side effects include soreness at the site, low-grade fever, and aches which may be confused with the flu. The vaccine takes two weeks to build up adequate antibodies so you may become ill from exposure before you are fully immune. Since the vaccine is designed to protect against the three most common strains that are predicted for the year, it is possible to become infected with a strain not covered in the vaccine.  

This time of year is also a good time to review hand washing with your children. Water (doesn’t have to be warm) and soap is all it takes. Remind them to scrub from their wrists to fingertips for 20 seconds. (Let them sit quietly for that long, 20 seconds will seem really long!) Dry hands thoroughly, turning off the water with a paper towel in public restrooms. If only hand sanitizer is available, be sure to continue rubbing until it has all evaporated. Additionally, remind your kids to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, discard used tissues, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with their elbows. Since germs can spread 6 feet, this will help “contain“ them.   

To prevent spreading illness and to allow for adequate recovery, it is important to stay home while you are symptomatic and until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medication. Remember, there can be complications to the flu and they may be exacerbated by exposure to other illnesses while recovering.

Note: While the flu vaccine is recommended, it is not required for admission in New Jersey elementary schools. Therefore, you do not need to send a doctor’s note. Information on flu vaccinations is not recorded on the students’ medical records.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season!