With flu season in full swing now is
a great time to search for those books on “germs” taking residency on your classroom bookshelves. Presenting tips to avoid catching the flu to your students through literature is a valuable lesson this time of year. Follow-up your readings with posting pictured tips on a classroom wall.
Preventing the spread? What teachers can do:
1. Inform your students – knowledge is power.
2. Teach students the importance of proper hand washing – lather top and bottom of hands with soap and rinse thoroughly.
3. Teach students to cough inside of the arm or elbow. Encourage use of tissues by having several boxes available at different classroom locations.
4. Provide hand sanitizer and encourage students to use it when entering or leaving the classroom.
5. Clean desks and doorknobs daily as well as any classroom items often touched by others.
6. Inform classroom parents of the steps you are taking in the classroom. These tips can help them at home as well.
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Is it a cold or the flu? |
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Characteristic |
Flu |
Cold |
| Chest infection/cough | Common. Can become severe. | Common. Mild to moderate. |
| Fever | Usually high (102°-104°) May last 3-4 days. | Rare except in young children. |
| General aches and pains | Usual. Can be severe. | Mild. |
| Headache | Common. | Rare. |
| Sneezing/red, watery, itchy eyes | Rare. | Usual. |
| Sore throat | Occasional. | Usual. |
| Stuffy nose | Occasional. | Usual. |
| Tiredness | Severe. | Mild. |
| Primary season | Winter. | Late August – April. |
| Duration | Up to a month. | 7 – 10 days. |
| Adapted/modified from:Balch, P. A., & Balch, J. F. (2000). Prescription for nutritional healing (3rd ed.). New York, New York: Avery. | ||
Remember – a healthy classroom is a happy and productive classroom!
For other ideas see http://www.teachervision.fen.com/disease-prevention/resource/62164.html
For more information see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2013-2014.htm
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