Cold & Flu Season

NOTE FROM THE NURSE

INFLUENZA:  As expected, the influenza season is hitting early and hard.  Clinics and hospitals are seeing a surge of patients and tests coming back positive for influenza, including the H1N1.  It is best to contact the County Health Department periodically to find out when and where vaccines will be available, since they are in charge of the allocation (503-338-3600).

* We remind you to keep your student home when sick; fever should be normal for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.

Below is a simple chart to help differentiate a common cold from the flu.  Continue to use common sense methods to help prevent transmission:  keep sneezes and coughs covered, wash hand frequently, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, stay home when sick and use disinfectants on surfaces.  Influenza, regardless of the type, is a respiratory illness passed by airborne droplets through the nose and mouth.  It can survive for several hours on surfaces.

Symptoms

Fever

• Cold - Rare in adults and older children, but can be as high as 102 F in infants and small children
• Flu - Usually 102 F, but can go up to 104 F and usually lasts 3 - 4- days

Headache

• Cold - rare
• Flu - Sudden onset and can be severe

Muscle ache

• Cold - mild
• Flu - Usual, and often severe

Tiredness and weakness

• Cold - mild
• Flu - Often extreme, and can last two or more weeks

Extreme exhaustion

• Cold - never
• Flu - Sudden onset and can be severe

Runny nose

• Cold - often
• Flu - sometimes

To get more information about the H1N1 virus, click here to go directly to the State of Oregon site.