Memorial School hit with Influenza (flu) like illness

The flu season is far from over and this week Memorial School in Upton is being hit hard. According to Principal Debra Swain the school has seen an increase in absenteeism over the last two days. Swain said a number of parents are reporting “flu-like symptoms.”

According to the latest numbers from Center for Disease Control the proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 5.6%, above the national baseline of 2.0%.

Swain said, “We are following the CDC guidelines for reducing the spread of seasonal flu.” An Influenza fact sheet has been sent to parents with a note from the school nurse, Mrs. Ryan which stated the following:

 “ Memorial School presently has a very high volume of Influenza (Flu) like Illness. If your child is ill with the following flu-like symptoms: FEVER (>100 F), headache, cough and cold symptoms, vomiting, muscle and body aches please refrain from sending them to school and contact your child’s healthcare provider for flu-like illness per the attached information sheet from the Centers for Disease Control.  Students must be fever free without fever reducing medication (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil) for a minimum of 24 hours to return to school.”

There is still time to get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, the Upton Board of Health (508 529 3110 or email pparent@uptonma.gov), or a local pharmacy.

Although this year’s flu vaccine is not a good match for the flu viruses that are out there it still provides some protection. Upton Public Health Nurse Trish Parent said, “The most prominent flu virus circulating right now is the H3N2 Influenza  A virus.  The virus has changed just enough so that the flu vaccine that was made to fight it is not as effective as in years past.  That being said, it still provides some protection and there are three other flu strains that are covered in this year’s vaccine that have not changed enough to be negatively affected.  The other point to be made is that as the flu season gets going and peaks in February, the most prominent flu virus circulating can switch to a different A strain and later in the season a B strain. The bottom line is Influenza is a nasty illness that can be prevented or at least made less severe by getting a flu vaccine.”

Last week the Upton Board of Health had both the shot and the mist available and they will vaccinate children where many pharmacies will not.