The School Health Services Department has launched a new page on the district's website that has health related forms and important health information for parents.
Included is information from the County Health Department about pertussis (whooping cough). The media has recently reported a spike in cases of whooping cough seen throughout the suburbs. It is a highly infectious and usually mild illness that is easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing. The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to those of a common cold: a runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild occasional cough for at least 2 weeks, which can become severe and spasmodic--with a distinctive “whooping” sound.
With the rise in whooping cough cases and the arrival of cold and flu season, the district would like to remind parents of precautionary measures you and your family members can take to stay healthy. Practicing simple hygiene measures can help prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses. Please take a moment to remind your children to wash their hands and instruct them not to share personal items like drinks or food. Instruct them to cover up their cough or sneeze using their elbow, arm or sleeve instead of their hands. They also need to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth to prevent spreading germs.
Most importantly, if you get sick, you should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. A child must be fever free without taking fever-reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to school. The start of the cold and flu season is always a good time to review childcare contingency plans should you need to keep your child home from school.
For more information, contact your healthcare provider or visit School Heath Services.