Flu Season

     Every year between the months of November and February people start to become ill with influenza, or the flu, and Chadron High School is no exception.
     There are four types of the influenza virus A,B,C, and D. Before Christmas break Chadron schools experienced a lot of type B. School is one of the most common places to catch the flu.
     According to Tricia Berry, the school's secretary/registrar, this year students have been out of school for almost a full week due to illness. One example is Mandee Dotson, who was gone for five days because of sickness. Additionally, Alyeea Lopez was gone for three days last week due to sickness. So, as the flu season comes upon us, we must be prepared. There are a few things you can do to prevent  contracting the flu.
      According to Jenni Pyle, a nurse at CHS, the best things you can do to prevent the flu are washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, covering your mouth when you cough, wiping down frequently used surfaced (phones, desks, computers, etc.) eating healthy, drinking water, taking vitamins, and getting a flu shot. "You should also never come to school sick. If you have a fever, you are contagious and you need to stay home," said Nurse Pyle.
     "If you have the flu, you'll be contagious one day before developing symptoms and up to five to seven days after after becoming ill. Younger children, or people with weak immune systems, may be contagious for longer," she said. She also said that the main cause of sickness in schools is kids who come to school even though they are sick.
      Because the flu is a virus, once you're diagnosed your best plan of action is to treat the symptoms. There is a medication called TamiFlu that may lessen your symptoms. This is a prescription medication so you must be prescribed by a doctor.
     Please help keep our school healthy by following Nurse Pyle's advice.