Dear Mead Families,

We have one confirmed case of Influenza in the Early Learning Center, and two cases of strep (one in ELC, one in K-8). Students diagnosed with a viral infection should defer to instructions from their healthcare practitioner. Below is information taken from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is Influenza (Flu)?

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Flu Symptoms
The Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

-fever* or feeling feverish/chills
-cough
-sore throat
-runny or stuffy nose
-muscle or body aches
-headaches
-fatigue (tiredness)
-some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.

Please be sure to contact your healthcare practitioner should your child present with any of these symptoms. Children diagnosed with the flu can return to the program once they have been cleared by their doctor.

A few kind and gentle reminders:

Fever free means there has been no sign of a fever for a period of 24 hours without the aid a fever reducer.
Children who have been vomiting should be symptom free for a period of 24 hours and on their way back to eating and drinking per their usual routine.
Children who have had diarrhea should be symptom free for a period of 24 hours. Loose stools are to be expected as children make their way back.

What is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a common infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. It causes inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes lining the back of the throat and the tonsils. It can also be viral in nature.

Strep Throat Symptoms

In general, the common signs and symptoms of strep throat include fever, sore throat, red and swollen/inflamed tonsils, swollen and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the upper neck, white patches or spots on the tonsils.

Individuals with strep throat can experience other associated signs and symptoms as well, which may include headache, abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; general discomfort, feeling ill or uneasy; loss of appetite; small punctuate red spots on the roof of the mouth and skin rash.

Should your child present with any of these symptoms, or should you have any questions about Strep Throat, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

Students diagnosed with bacterial Strep Throat can return to the program once they have been on antibiotics for a period of 24 hours. They also need to be fever free for a period of 24 hours, beginning when the fever has dissipated naturally and without the aid of a fever reducer.

We'll continue to clean and disinfect and will look for additional opportunities to increase handwashing here at school. As always we recommend you encourage your children to wash hands when entering and exiting the building.

Kind regards,

Jeannette Baxendale

Office Coordinator and Executive Assistant