February 13^th, 2008 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please be aware that we have had cases of medically diagnosed Influenza reported at the Middle School and at North Intermediate.

Influenza symptoms include a sudden onset of high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and body aches.  Influenza symptoms are similar to a common cold only much more severe.  Be sure to contact your physician if your child has a prolonged fever or respiratory illness.  Influenza can cause pneumonia which requires medical care and follow-up.

The most important steps in preventing influenza are to have the influenza vaccine, careful and frequent hand washing, cover your cough, and keep your children home if they are ill.  If a child is running a temperature in the morning they need to stay home from school.  Influenza is most contagious during the time a child is running a fever.  If a child receives Tylenol or ibuprofen in the morning it does not reduce the contagiousness of the illness.  Students who are ill should stay home for their own health as well as for the health of others.

If you have questions please call Mary Mogensen, R.N. at 934-4210, ext 410