Increased
Absenteeism Due to Illness in York Region Schools
York Region Public Health has
noticed an increase in school absenteeism due to illness. When York Region
Public Health receives reports of increased absenteeism, we support the affected
schools by providing infection prevention and control measures as well as
monitoring of absences in collaboration with the school.
Many
viruses are active at this time of year in the community, including enteric
viruses (like norovirus) and respiratory viruses (like influenza, commonly
known as the flu.) Preventative measures can help reduce the spread of illness
in the community.
Norovirus
The most common symptoms of
norovirus illness are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The
illness often begins suddenly, about 24 to 48 hours after exposure, and the
infected person may become very sick with frequent vomiting and/or diarrhea. In
general, children experience more vomiting than adults.
To lower the spread of norovirus
within our communities:
·
Anyone experiencing symptoms should continue to
stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop
·
Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water,
especially after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing,
handling and eating food
·
Remove and wash clothes and linens that may be
contaminated with vomit or feces
·
Keep sick individuals out of areas where food is
being handled or prepared
·
Anyone who is sick should not handle or prepare
food for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop
·
Take precautions to protect yourself when
cleaning up vomit and diarrhea, refer to: Information
for Parents
Influenza
Norovirus is not related to
influenza, or “the flu”. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the
influenza virus which commonly starts circulating during the late fall and continues
into spring.
Symptoms of the flu may
include:
•
sudden onset of headache
•
chills
•
cough
•
sore throat
•
runny nose
•
fever
•
loss of appetite
•
muscle aches
•
fatigue
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
may also occur in children. Most people recover from the flu within a week to
10 days. People aged 65 years or older, pregnant women and individuals with
chronic health conditions may be at greater risk of becoming ill and developing
severe health problems such as pneumonia.
Young children and influenza
Children
under five years of age, especially those younger than two years of age, are at
high risk of flu‐related complications. These complications include pneumonia,
encephalopathy (inflammation of the brain), ear infections, sinus infections
and worsening of medical problems like asthma or heart disease. In rare cases,
flu complications can lead to death.
How to protect against the flu
1. Get vaccinated – The flu vaccine is the best
way to protect against flu. Studies show the flu vaccine can prevent 70 to 90
per cent of illness in healthy adults and children. York Region Public Health
recommends everyone six months and older get the flu shot. It’s not too late to
get vaccinated.
Flu shots are available at:
•
Physicians’ offices, for people six months of age and
older
•
Pharmacies, for people five years of age and older
•
York Region Public Health clinics, for people three years
of age and older
Visit
ontario.ca/flu
to find
where you can get the flu shot. For more information about flu vaccines contact
York Region Health Connection at 1‐800‐361‐5653.
2. How can you reduce the
chances of getting the flu?
•
Keep sick children home from school or child care
•
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm
water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol‐based hand sanitizer.
Choose an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains between 60% and 90%
alcohol
•
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze and throw the tissue out immediately
•
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
•
Avoid people who are ill and stay home when you are sick
•
Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected. To
learn more about preventing spread of illness in school and home, visit york.ca/infectionprevention
How does the flu spread?
The flu spreads through the
air from coughing and sneezing. It also spreads through direct contact with
surfaces, door knobs, unwashed hands, or objects such as toys and eating
utensils that have been contaminated by the influenza virus.
A person with flu may be able
to infect other people one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days
after becoming sick.
For more information, visit york.ca/flu
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