Appendix H - Influenza

Influenza Attendance Line Script

When reporting an absence, please leave the following information:

Your child's name
Reason for absence
If the absence is due to illness, please tell us the specific symptoms.
If the absence is due to a respiratory illness:
- Does your child have a fever or chills?
- Does your child have a cough or sore throat?
- Does your child have muscle or body aches?
- Has a healthcare provider diagnosed influenza?

Thank you.

Influenza Phone Call Script

This is (insert your name) from (insert name of school). I am calling to ask why your student is absent from school today. (Allow the parent or guardian to answer).

We currently have a number of students out with influenza or influenza-like symptoms and are tracking this information for public health purposes. Is your student experiencing a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, or body aches? Has your student been evaluated by a health care provider? Was your student diagnosed with influenza A or influenza B?

Thank you.

Influenza Alert

Important Notice to Parents (Include Date)

An increase in seasonal influenza (flu) activity has been observed at (school name), and your child may have been exposed to the virus while attending class and/or school activities. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness. Below you will find additional information on signs and symptoms of the flue and necessary steps to reduce the spread of illness. Please review this information to help ensure the health and safety of our school community.

Symptoms of the flue appear quickly and can include fever, cough, body aches, headache, tiredness, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

The flu virus spreads when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks and puts tiny droplets into the air where a bystander can breathe them in through their mouth or nose. A person can also get the flu by touching something that has flu germs on it then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose.

It can take 1-4 days to get sick after exposure to the flu. People with flu may pass it on to others from one day before showing symptoms to as many as seven days after getting sick.

Ways to prevent the flu and/or spreading it to others include:

Receiving the yearly flu vaccine. This is the BEST way to help protect yourself and others against the flu.
Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Washing your hands with soap and water often.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may have flu germs on them.
Keeping your child home from school if he/she has symptoms. If a fever is present, he/she must remain at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without using medication.

If you suspect your child may have the flu, contact his or her primary care provider. Antiviral medications can reduce the length and severity of the illness if taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms. Please remember that a virus causes the flu so antibiotics will not help.

If you have further questions about influenza, please contact (insert contact names and phone numbers).