Flu Keeping Students Home

Schools in Houston County are reporting a large number of students absent due to early season flu. "Between all of the county schools we have seen a lot of them," said Caitlin Cauthen.  The school nurse said plenty of sick students have missed classes since Thanksgiving.

Cauthen said its not all the flu. She's also seeing children suffering from step throat, viruses, and other illnesses though the most prevelent illness seems to be the flu."It's earlier this year, and it seems to be worse this year," she said. "We have encouraged parents to keep (students) at home to monitor them."  She said the the last thing she wants is for sick pupils to come to class and infect others.

The best way to keep from getting the flu is getting a shot, but pediatricians say many children over two years old are actually less likely to get vaccinated. "When they are under two they are coming to the doctor every few months, so it is very easy for them to get those vaccines," Dr. Michael Ramsey said. He urges most everyone, young and old, to get a flu shot.

There's also other precautions to help prevent your child from becoming sick. They include proper hand washing, coughing onto an elbow, and not touching your face will also help prevent the flu.

If a child has been running a fever for two or three days, it could be pneumonia, and that needs immediate medical attention.