FLU

From page 1 nosis. I've had several teachers saying that their parents have notified them that flu is in their classroom.”

Elam said what she has seen so far is normal for flu season. She said the district's policy is to send home students with fevers of 100 degrees or higher. Students sent home for fever cannot return to school until they are 24 hours fever-free without medicine.

“If they're running a 99 point something early in the day, then we'll go ahead and call mom and give them the option to come pick them up and go on and take them in to be seen,” Elam said.

Elam listed fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches and runny nose as common signs of the flu, and encouraged parents to take note if their children were not acting like their usual selves.

“We've kind of been bracing ourselves, because it's been all around us,” Elam said. “It's been in Jackson. It's been in Oxford, in Tupelo, so we've been watching the news and bracing ourselves for it to come this way.”

Elam gave some tips for flu prevention, including washing hands with soap and warm water for at least a minute.

“The Germ-x will get you by, but the best way is washing with soap and water,” Elam said.

She said the schools were doing what they could to keep campuses clean, wiping down desks, disinfecting handrails and other oftentouched surfaces.

“We also put out a plea to our PTO,” Elam said. “If they want to donate Lysol wipes or cleaning products, then they can bring them up to my office, and we'll distribute them as the teachers need them.”

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs encouraged similar precautions.

“We are in the heart of flu season, so it is important to continue to take precautions to avoid getting the flu,” Dobbs said. “As most flu is spread by contact with contaminated surfaces, this includes regular hand washing (or use of hand sanitizers). If you do get sick with flu symptoms, please contact your physician or provider.”

Elam also suggested the flu shot as a means of prevention.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mississippi is one of 24 states plus New York City experiencing high Influenza-like illness activity as of 2019 week five, which ended on Feb. 2. Mississippi State Department of Health data shows one pediatric flu death in Mississippi, with 28 reported nationwide as of week five.