Friday, December 19, 2003
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Friday, December 19, 2003 |
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Flu affects school attendance Coweta County Schools reported higher-than-normal absenteeism Dec. 15, which may be due to strains of influenza affecting Coweta County. Monday’s system-wide absentee rate (8.84 percent) is higher than usual, but not significantly higher than the ordinary rate of approximately five percent. School nurses and principals have reported calls from some parents saying that their children have symptoms similar to the flu, but the reports are anecdotal and absentee rates vary from school to school. Still, school nurses and other school officials are warning parents to watch out for signs of influenza and call their family physician or the county health center if symptoms appear. “Coweta County schools, fortunately, don't appear to be severely affected by this year’s flu season,” said Superintendent Peggy Connell. “But we are working closely with the Coweta County health department and our school nurses to monitor that, and we encourage parents to help their schools continue to prevent the spread of influenza.” Connell and chief school nurse Sally Millians strongly encourage parents to keep their children home from school and contact a physician if their children exhibit flu-like symptoms. “If students are ill, any work or exams they miss may be made up at a later date,” said Connell. Millians and county school nurses have also been stressing to children the importance of thorough hand-washing and other habits to prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases. The health department and nurses have posted information from Children’s Health Care of Atlanta regarding influenza and influenza shots for children. That and other information can be found on the school system's website www.cowetaschools.org, or by contacting your school’s nurse or the Coweta County Health Department (770-254-7400).
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