| Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Influenza (flu) |
What is coronavirus?- Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They are estimated to cause about a third of all cases of the common cold. The most common forms can cause mild to moderate illness in people, while other forms circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats.
What is COVID-19?- COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before.
- COVID-19 is not caused by the same coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2021. However, it is in the same family of viruses.
For more information on COVID-19, visit MDH or the CDC website. | What is influenza (flu)? - The flu is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. The illness is usually mild or moderate, not requiring hospitalization. However, at times flu can be severe, even leading to death. It is not the same as the “stomach flu”.
What are the symptoms?- Flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, and body aches. These symptoms usually begin suddenly and might be severe enough to stop your daily activities.
For more information on COVID-19, visit MDH or the CDC website. |
| Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | Norovirus |
What is Pertussis?- Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a disease that affects the lungs. Pertussis bacteria are spread from person to person through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. A person with pertussis develops a severe cough that usually lasts four to six weeks or longer. Pertussis can be very serious, especially in infants.
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold: sneezing, a runny nose, possibly a low-grade fever, and a cough. After one or two weeks, the cough becomes severe, such as:- The cough occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath.
- A high-pitched whooping sound occurs when breathing in after a coughing episode. Whooping is less common in infants, adults, and people who have received the pertussis vaccine.
- Vomiting during or after a coughing spell.
- The person’s face or lips may look blue from lack of oxygen.
- The cough is often worse at night.
- Between coughing spells, the person seems well, but the illness is exhausting over time.
- Coughing episodes gradually become less frequent but may continue for several weeks or months until the lungs heal.
For more information on COVID-19, visit MDH or the CDC website. | What is norovirus?- Noroviruses are a group of viruses (previously known as Norwalk-like viruses) that can cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in Minnesota.
- The infection rate is often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu”. Norovirus is not related to the flu (influenza), which is a common respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
What are the symptoms?- Common symptoms of norovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Less common symptoms can include low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches.
- Symptoms usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness typically comes on suddenly. The infected person may feel very sick and vomit often, sometimes without warning, many times a day. Sometimes people infected with norovirus have no symptoms at all, but can still pass the virus to others.
For more information on COVID-19, visit MDH or the CDC website. |
If your child is diagnosed with a contagious disease, please notify the school within twenty-four hours.
Please keep the Health Office updated with parent/guardian home, work, and cell phone numbers. Make sure to provide and update the School District with an emergency contact name and phone number.
Prevention
Everyday Prevention Measures from the CDC- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow/sleeve, not your hand.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill.
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