Due to concerns over a possible nationwide outbreak of the H1N1 virus, Lapeer Community Schools has been asked by the Lapeer County Health Department to more closely track the reasons for student absences this year.
According the LCHD, influenza, or the ‘flu,’ is often misdiagnosed. For example, there is no such disease as “stomach flu.” Illnesses involving no appetite, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea is most likely gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach caused by a variety of viruses, or less commonly, bacteria.
“True flu,” is a disease that begins in the upper respiratory system, similar to a cold, with fever, body aches and pains. The disease moves quickly down the chest where it becomes bronchitis or pneumonia. A “true flu” lasts about 7 to 10 days and makes a person feel miserable.
There can be nausea, vomiting and diarrhea from the flu in infants and small children caused by mucous draining down the backs of their throats into the stomach.
As a result of the LCHD memo, parents should be alerted to a series of questions we have been asked to inquire about when a child calls in sick so the LCHD can track the disease.
· Does the child have a fever? How high?
· Is the child sick to their stomach, in the bathroom a lot?
· Are they congested, achy, feeling and acting droopy or sick?
· Have they been around others with the same symptoms?
The LCHD has also asked that students not return to school until they have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking any Tylenol or other fever-reducing medicine.
There are common sense ways to help prevent the spread of the disease:— Cover your mouth and nose, preferably with a tissue, when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of the tissue after its use.— Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.— Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to help prevent the spread of germs.
Channel 12 did a story on the situation on August 21st.
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