Communicable Diseases
Influenza: October-May according to the CDC is considered “Flu Season”.
Prevention: Keep your child home when they are ill; advise your child to cover their cough/sneeze, encourage frequent hand washing, especially before meals. Make sure to get an annual flu shot. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated. Most insurance companies now cover flu shots, however, if you do not have coverage, contact the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 682-7400 for providers offering affordable flu vaccinations.
Signs and Symptoms:
- fever*
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Transmission: Flu virus is spread by respiratory droplets when someone who is ill is talking, sneezes or coughs. It can be contracted from close contact, or sharing utensils, and less often, from surfaces that are contaminated by droplets and then a person transfers these to their eyes, nose or mouth.
Resources:
General List of Common Childhood Illnesses from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)