Schools are highly susceptible to flu outbreaks since children, teachers and administrators are in close proximity to each other in a classroom setting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there are many missed days from school due to colds and flu. School teachers and administrators have the ability to teach flu prevention to children and families.
Flu Prevention in Schools
Step 1
Establish a hand-washing routine. Teachers should establish a hand-washing schedule with their students, especially in the younger grades. This should take place after bathroom breaks, after recess and prior to eating. Proper hand-washing technique should be reviewed with school children, while reminder posters can be posted in the bathroom with instructions for older children and adults. Hands should be washed with soap for 15 to 20 seconds, about the time it takes a young child to sing the ABCs. Having them do so will help ensure that they wash for an adequate amount of time.
Step 2
Disinfect surfaces and other materials regularly. Teachers and janitorial staff should be aware of the importance regularly of cleaning toys, supplies and surfaces that are touched frequently. The CDC recommends Environmental Protection Agency-registered household disinfectants labeled for activity against bacteria and viruses, an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, or EPA-registered chlorine bleach/hypochlorite solution for cleaning. Instructions for cleaning and safety precautions should be followed.
Step 3
Instruct parents to keep their children home when they are sick. Parents and students should be made aware that students should stay home when they have a fever or other severe symptoms of the flu. They should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
Step 4
Educate students about coughing and sneezing etiquette. Since bacteria and viruses can be spread through respiratory droplets, students should be instructed on the importance of coughing and sneezing into their elbow and washing their hands when appropriate.
Step 5
Monitor students for symptoms of the flu. The CDC recommends that parents be notified if their child has a fever of 100F or higher under the arm, 101F orally, or 102F rectally. Chills, cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches are other reasons to send children home from school. Students and teachers with flu-like illness should not be in school where they can infect others.
Step 6
Inform students, parents and staff about the annual flu vaccine. The CDC states that the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. The local health department should have information on local flu clinics. Teachers should consider having a flu shot to protect themselves and their students.
Tips and Warnings
- The local health department can be helpful in developing a letter to parents with flu guidelines and prevention measures.
