BY: OLIVIA ARY & ANASTASIA CONELY
Fever, headache, sore throat, aches, and fatigue are just a few symptoms you should be on the watch for during flu season. As of last week, there have been over 80 pediatric deaths due to this illness. According to the Mayo Clinic and Center for Disease Control, common signs that you should go see your doctor include severe heachaches, 100+ degree fever, congestion, nausea or vomiting, severe body aches, chest discomfort or a cough. These symptoms can develop quickly over 24 hours.
If you do come down with an illness, do not come to school! When you come to school sick, you expose everyone else to your germs. The girls division school nurse, Mrs. Dwyre, states that is is school policy that you may not come back to school for 24 hours after being out for sickness. This means if you have a fever, you must wait 24 hours (unmedicated) before coming back to class. It also means that you have to wait 24 hours after throwing up.
Mrs. Dwyer has some tips for staying healthy as the spring goes on. First and foremost, wash your hands! The flu can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, and keeping your hands washed is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy. Other prevention practices include not touching your face, use a paper towel when opening doors, and not sharing water bottles or chapstick.