Hello Kirkland Junior High Families!

This is a section dedicated to health information.  I would like to provide you with information you will find helpful and interesting. If there is a health topic that you would like to learn more about, please feel free to contact me via email and I will do my best to address it. J.  amroot@lwsd.org  

Flu Facts

H1N1 “The Swine Flu” is a very contagious virus and is spread easily from person to person through sneezing or coughing.  A person can also become infected by touching something –such as a surface or object – with flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. 

So what can we do to help prevent the spread of Flu?  Below is a list of things we can ALL do that will help protect our kids and ourselves from spreading germs.

1.       WASH HANDS – often and with warm water and soap.  This is the number one thing that will help prevent the spread of germs from person to person.  Alcohol based hand sanitizers are ok to use too, but nothing is better than good old fashioned hand washing.  After drying hands with a paper towel, use that towel to shut off the faucet and open the door before discarding it to the trash. This will help from re-contaminating your hands. Wash hands before meals, after using the restroom, when in public and touching hand rails or door knobs, and after coughing or sneezing.

2.       Cover when you cough/sneeze.  If a tissue is accessible that is the best way to cover your mouth and nose, but if you cannot grab a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.  This will help contain those germs instead of letting them spread into the air. Throw tissues away immediately. Don’t keep tissues sitting on your desk or in your pocket. Then immediately wash your hands!

3.       If your child has a fever, keep them home!  The LWSD policy is the same as the CDC recommendations.  Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.  We are VERY strict on this policy for the protection of your child and all of the other kids/adults that can get sick if you send your child to school ill. That means that the child must be fever free without the help of fever reducing medications for 24 hours

4.       Do not share items that could be contaminated.  Teach your child not to share utensils, straws, cups, food, Chap Stick, or any other items that come into contact with their mouth. 

If your child exhibits signs of the flu (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, vomiting or diarrhea) keep the child home and let them rest.  Encourage your child to drink fluids throughout the day. If the symptoms become worse or if you are concerned about your child’s well being, contact your pediatrician for further direction.