Registration - August 7th

Welcome Back Wildcats!

We will be hosting campus wide registration on August 7th. If you have received notice in the mail from me regarding updating your child's immunizations; please bring proof that it has been completed or your child will not be allowed to begin the school year.

You will have the opportunity on this date to bring in medications and address any medical issues and/or concerns.

We are looking forward to another great school year!

Swine Flu

The Stoddard County Public Heath Center is fully aware of the developing swine flu situation. We have increased our disease surveillance and are in constant contact with state health officials. As of April 27th, no cases of swine flu have been identified in Missouri. If cases do appear in Missouri, your local public health agency will advise citizens if further protective measure are to be taken.

What is swine flu?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. In late March and early April, cases of human infection with H1N1 swine flu were reported in several countries and in locations within in United States.

How is swine flu spread?
Swine flu is spread like seasonal flu, when a person coughs or sneezes, sending contaminated droplets into the air where another person may inhale them. Sometimes people may become infected by touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching their own eyes, nose or mouth.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, runny or stuffy nose and fatigue. Some people have reported nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause underlying chronic medical conditions to worsen.

Who is at risk for getting swine flu?
Cases of swine flu have most commonly occurred in people who have direct contact with infected swine. People can also get sick from other infected people. A person who has swine flu may be able to infect other people one day before his/her symptoms develop to seven days after showing symptoms.

What is the best way to protect myself against swine flu?
At this time the public is encouraged to protect themselves by following common sense, proven disease prevention methods, including--
*Frequent hand washing with soap and water
*Keeping a distance of at least six feet from people who are sick
*Avoid touching your own eyes, mouth or nose
Individuals who are sick are encouraged to protect the community by--
*Staying home while ill
*Covering their cough or sneeze with a tissue or their sleeve
*Avoid sharing personal items such as utensils, drinks or a toothbrush with family members

What should I do if I develop symptoms of swine flu?
People who develop flu-like symptoms AND have a history of recent travel to a location where cases of swine flu have been confirmed OR have had close personal contact with someone who has a confirmed case of swine flu, should contact their health care provider.

How is swine flu treated?
Two anitviral medications are currently proving to be effective against the strain of swine flu currently circulating in the United States. However, antiviral medication may not be necessary for most people to recover from flu viruses. A decision can best be made by each individual's health care provider.

Free Glasses!!!

In case you have a child or know of someone who does (ages 12 and under),
they can get a FREE pair of eyeglasses from Target:

Target is doing a special promotion for their optical service.  It could end
any time but will definitely end no later than April 29th..
Children 12 and under can get a free pair of glasses.
They need to bring in a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor and
Target will let the child pick from about 40 different frames.  They will
place their best lenses in the frames which are non-glare and scratch
resistant and normally sell for $200.00.   There are no income guidelines.
Any child 12 or under is eligible.

You can find stores with optical departments at www.target.com  to confirm
they are participating before making a trip to their store.

Please pass this information on to anyone who can benefit from this
promotional offer.  If you know someone with lost or broken glasses please
share this information with them ASAP, as the promotion could end at any
time.  They would like families to come in as soon as they can.

Thanks to Mrs.Kellie Reese for sending this to me!

Flu Basics

Influenza - Topic Overview

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection. People often use the term "flu" to describe any kind of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus, that has symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea.

Most flu outbreaks happen in late fall and winter.

What causes the flu?

The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus every year.

What are the symptoms?

The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better.

It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.

Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. In rare cases, the flu may cause a more serious problem, such as pneumonia.

Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu. They include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection.

How is the flu diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. This usually gives the doctor enough information to find out if you have the flu, especially if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the area and the local health department reports a flu outbreak.

In some cases, the doctor may do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out what type of flu virus you have.

How is it treated?

Most people can treat flu symptoms at home. Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever.

If you think you have the flu, your doctor may be able to give you medicine that can make the symptoms milder. But you need to start taking it within 2 days of your first symptoms.

Can the flu be prevented?

You can help prevent the flu by getting the flu vaccine every year. The best time to get the vaccine is in October or November, just before the start of flu season. You can get the vaccine as a shot or in a spray that you breathe in through your nose.

Influenza - Home Treatment

If you have influenza, you can expect the illness to go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, you can take steps to feel better:

• Get extra rest. Bed rest can help you feel better. It will also help you avoid spreading the virus to others.
• Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost from fever. Fluids also ease a scratchy throat and keep nasal mucus thin. Hot tea with lemon, water, fruit juice, and soup are all good choices.
• If fever is uncomfortable, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower it. You may also sponge your body with lukewarm water to reduce fever. Do not use cold water or ice. Lowering the fever will not make your symptoms go away faster, but it may make you more comfortable.
• To relieve body aches and headache, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Try a decongestant or nasal spray if your main symptom is a stuffy nose. Look for a single-ingredient decongestant that contains phenylephrine. If nasal drainage is thick, a decongestant that contains guaifenesin may help keep it thin and draining. Do not use medicated nasal sprays or drops more often than directed, and don't use them for longer than 3 days.
• To help clear a stuffy nose, breathe moist air from a hot shower or from a sink filled with hot water.
• Avoid antihistamines. They do not treat flu symptoms and may make nasal drainage thicker.
• If the skin around your nose and lips becomes sore from repeated rubbing with tissues, apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the area. Using disposable tissues that contain lotion also may help.
• Use cough drops or plain, hard candy to help ease coughing.
• Take a nonprescription cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan if you develop a dry, hacking cough. Some products contain a high percentage of alcohol. Use them with caution. Do not give cough and cold medicines to a child younger than 2 unless your child’s doctor has told you to. If your child’s doctor tells you to give a medicine, be sure to follow what he or she tells you to do.
• Elevate your head at night with an extra pillow if coughing keeps you awake.
• Avoid smoking and breathing secondhand smoke. This is good advice any time, but it is especially important when you have a respiratory infection like a cold or the flu.

Call your doctor if:

• Your symptoms improve but then seem to get worse again.
• You develop symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as a new or worse cough that produces yellow, green, rust-colored, or bloody mucus; persistent fever, ear pain, sore throat, sinus pain, or productive cough; or nasal drainage that changes from clear to colored after 7 to 10 days.