Pelham Memorial School

A message from the School Nurse’s Office


This is a message to educate the school community on strategies which can help prevent illness
and the spread of diseases including the flu in the upcoming months.


The Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recommends that the following get an
annual flu shot.

All persons, including school-age children who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with
influenzas or of transmitting it to others
All children 6 to 59 months
All persons 50 years or older
Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) receiving long term aspirin therapy who may be
at risk of Reye syndrome after being infected with influenza
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
Adults and Children with chronic diseases (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
Adults and children who have any condition that can compromise respiratory function (e.g.
cognitive dysfunction, seizure disorders, spinal cord injuries)
Residents of Nursing Homes or chronic care facilities
Health care personnel (including school nurses)
Healthy household contacts and caregivers of children under 5 years and adults 50 years or older
Healthy household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at
risk for severe complications from influenza

Tips to enhance your Immune System to resist illness including influenza :

Annual flu shot
Stay physically active with daily exercise
Get plenty of rest
Eat nutritious foods
Drink plenty of water and fluids
Frequent hand washing- soap and water (warm or hot preferably for 15 seconds or longer and if
not available (alcohol based hand sanitizer is an option)
Cover mouth and nose- if tissue is used throw away immediately and if tissues not available do
not cough into bare hands use your sleeve
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
Avoid sharing drinks, cups, or other eating utensils
Bag and empty trash receptacles frequently to prevent exposure to contaminated wastes
Clean contaminated surfaces, often and thoroughly
Avoid large, crowded places during flu outbreaks

Tips to avoid the spread of disease:

Avoid going to work or school if you feel ill, and have cold or flu like symptoms and have a
fever over 100
If you have flu like symptoms such as extreme fatigue, chills, body aches, sometimes with a
cough, headache and high fever call your doctor immediately. If you have the flu, you may
benefit from anti viral medication if started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms

If in doubt about sending an ill child to school, please check with the school nurse.
Mrs. Levine 635-2748