Students and families in Shelby may have received a letter in the mail recently in regards to influenza, as Shelby schools and hospitals are seeing a large number of children being diagnosed with Influenza A and B
Marias Healthcare in Shelby sent a letter to families through the school district to remind residents of precautions that can be taken to help prevent further spread of the flu in the community.
The letter recommended that people make sure they are cleaning and sanitizing homes and facilities, and reminded parents to keep children home if they are sick.
The letter also stated for parents to keep an eye out for the following symptoms: headaches, fevers above 100.5, and/or chills, cough, nasal or chest congestion, as well as body aches.
They also said if anyone has questions or concerns, they should contact their healthcare provider, or call Marias Healthcare at 406-434-3100
Shelby Public Schools superintendent Elliott Crump says during flu season, they work closely with health officials and parents to keep everyone up to date.
Crump said, “Whenever we see these large numbers of students being out at the same time, and the hospital contacts us or the clinic contacts us to say, ‘Hey, we've been having a lot of cases, we need to get some information out to the community,’ we're normally the venue that gets that information out.”
Crump added it's always a good idea to keep wash your hands and take steps to keep yourself healthy.
The CDC website provides more information about the flu, including the following tips for avoiding the flu:
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
