Dr. Bill Feusahrens, Director of Personnel (email)

1336 Avalon Street  •   Klamath Falls, OR 97603  •   (541) 883-4702

(The Flu)

Influenza is a contagious disease that attacks the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs) of humans. Influenza is caused by a virus. It is different from a cold.

Symptoms of Influenza include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness (sometimes extreme)
• Dry cough
• Sore Throat
• Nasal congestion
• Body aches

How is influenza spread? The flu is spread when a person who has the virus coughs sneezes or speaks and sends tny droplets of fluid with the virus into the air and other people inhale the virus. As the virus enters the other persons nose throat or lungs, it begins to multiply and cause symptoms of the flu. If an object such as a door handle has the flu virus on it and the person touches it and then touches their mouth or nose, they can catch the virus.

When is the flu contagious? A person can start spreading the flu one day before he or she starts feeling sick and continue to be contagious sometimes longer than a week after symptoms begin.

How do we prevent getting the virus?
• Flu vaccines are available through your health care provider.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with people infected with the virus.

What should I do if my child gets the flu?

• Keep your child home from school & all social activities. The infection is most contagious the first days of symptoms.
• Allow plenty of rest
• Have your child drink lots of fluid.
• Treat the symptoms with medications as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist
• Have your child take precautions such as covering his/her mouth with sneezing and coughing to prevent spread.
• Wash his/her hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
• DO NOT give your child ASPIRIN or ASPIRIN PRODUCTS without speaking to your doctor first.
• Notify your health care provider if you suspect the flu or have further questions.
• Other respiratory illnesses can cause similar symptoms. Doctors can perform tests to determine if it is the flu.
• Your child can return to school when their symptoms are improving and no fever has been detected for 24 hours.

Source: (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluinfo.htm