How To Navigate Flu Season

Flu season has the potential to disrupt learning, cause staffing shortages, and impact student health. By taking proactive steps, school officials can reduce the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV. This article provides practical advice to keep your school community healthy and informed.

Understanding Influenza

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and, in some cases, death. Flu season typically runs from late fall through early spring, with peak activity between December and February.

School-aged children are among the groups with the highest rates of flu infection. Controlling the spread is critical to maintaining safe, functional campuses.

Why Flu is a Serious Concern 

The flu poses significant risks to everyone but especially to people with chronic health conditions, who may experience complications requiring hospitalization. Examples include HIV, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, nine out of ten people hospitalized with flu have at least one underlying health condition.

School-aged children frequently spread the virus, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks. Annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease and control the severity and complications of the illness.

Recognizing Flu Symptoms 

Flu symptoms can appear suddenly, often 1 – 2 days after exposure, and include: 

• Fever* or chills 
• Cough and sore throat 
• Runny or stuffy nose 
• Muscle or body aches 
• Headaches and fatigue 
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children) 

*Not all individuals with flu will have a fever. The flu commonly causes a cough versus a common cold. A person can be infectious and shed the virus from one day before symptoms to seven days after symptoms appear.

It is important to note that symptoms of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses often overlap. Testing is required to confirm a diagnosis.

Seasonal Illnesses and Co-Infections 

Flu season often coincides with outbreaks of other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV. It is possible to contract more than one virus simultaneously.

COVID-19 symptoms may take longer to appear, and individuals may remain contagious for extended periods. Testing is essential to differentiate between flu and COVID-19, as symptoms alone are not reliable indicators.

Preparing Your Schools

An effective emergency operations plan should include a Public Health and Medical Annex, which helps schools respond consistently and effectively to contagious illnesses. 

Include these steps in your plan:

Collaborate with public health officials: Ensure your plan reflects community health strategies, including vaccinations and infection control measures.

Offer on-site flu vaccination clinics: Partner with local health departments to vaccinate students and staff. Consider expanding these clinics to include family members and community members. 

Promote hygiene education: Teach students and staff to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Provide hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol as an alternative. 

Stopping the Spread

• Students and staff should stay home until at least 24 hours after they are fever-free without fever-reducing medication.
• Teach students to avoid touching their face.
• Ensure handwashing stations are functional and stocked with soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer. Include handwashing time in daily schedules. 
• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces like desks, doorknobs, and keyboards, and empty trash cans as necessary. Encourage routine cleaning practices through education and policy. 
• Staff with chronic illnesses may elect to mask themselves during flu season.

Reporting and Staying Informed 

Effective communication with local health authorities is vital during flu season. Schools are required to report cases of flu, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases to their local health department. 

• Monitor updates from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
• Share flu statistics with your school community to promote awareness and preparedness. 

Takeaways for School Officials 

Managing the spread of respiratory illnesses requires a collaborative effort. By following these steps, schools can protect students, staff, and their communities: 

• Recognize symptoms: Teach staff and students how to identify flu symptoms early. 
• Plan: Develop and maintain a robust public health annex in your emergency operations plan. 
• Promote vaccination: Encourage flu vaccines for students, staff, and families. 
• Reinforce hygiene practices: Provide resources and education on proper handwashing and routine cleaning. 
• Stay compliant: Report illness data as required by state and federal guidelines. 
• Enforce: That employees and students stay at home if they are ill with a fever.

By investing time in prevention, your schools can reduce lost instructional days and safeguard the health of your entire community. 

For more information, visit the CDC Influenza Prevention Resources or the Texas DSHS School Health Program