The CDC reports flu cases are on the rise, with reports of severe influenza illness coming in as well. There is still time to get a flu shot and they are available from drugstores, your health care provider or the Shaker Heights Health Department (call 491-1480). Get you flu shot today!
Signs of flu include:
- fever or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- feeling tired
- vomiting and/or diarrhea
If you or your family member has any combination of these symptoms, STAY HOME!
If you or your family member experiences any of the following symptoms, get immediate medical help:
- fast breathing or trouble breathing
- bluish skin color
- not drinking enough fluids
- not waking up or interacting as normal
- irritability of a child who then does not want to be held
- flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough
- fever with rash
If you or a loved one begins having flu symptoms AND are at high risk the CDC recommends treatment with an antiviral medication ASAP. “High risk” includes:
- children younger than 2;
- adults 65 or older;
- persons with chronic lung (including asthma), heart, kidney, liver blood, metabolic disorders (including diabetes), neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders;
- persons who are immunosuppressed, caused by medications or by HIV infections;
- pregnant women or those who have delivered in the past 2 weeks;
- persons aged younger than 19 who are receiving longterm aspirin therapy;
- American Indians/Alaska Natives;
- persons who are morbidly obese; and
- residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilities
No one should return to work or school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication.
Please contact your child's school nurse for more information.