Mission: to provide grass-root programs that embody a

holistic approach towards making an individual productive in

his/her community.

For more health tips or Information about the Health Unit,

contact Lequita Williams

229-712-9264

Common Infections

&

Ways to Prevent the

Spreading of Germs

• Use hand sanitizer.Use hand sanitizer.Use hand sanitizer.Use hand sanitizer. Give your child al-

cohol-based hand sanitizer to keep in his or

her desk. Remind your child to use the sani-

tizer before eating snacks or lunch and after

using a shared computer mouse, pencil

sharpener, water fountain or other commu-

nity objects. You might also donate disin-

fecting wipes to the classroom for general

use.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you Cover your mouth and nose when you Cover your mouth and nose when you Cover your mouth and nose when you

cough or sneeze.cough or sneeze.cough or sneeze.cough or sneeze. Give your child a package

of tissues to keep in his or her desk. Encour-

age your child to cough or sneeze into a

tissue — then put the tissue in the trash, and

wash his or her hands or use hand sanitizer.

If it isn't possible to reach a tissue in time,

remind your child to cough or sneeze into

the crook of his or her elbow.

• Keep your hands away from your eyes Keep your hands away from your eyes Keep your hands away from your eyes Keep your hands away from your eyes

and out of your mouth.and out of your mouth.and out of your mouth.and out of your mouth. Remind your child

that hands are often covered in germs.

• Don't share water bottles, food or other Don't share water bottles, food or other Don't share water bottles, food or other Don't share water bottles, food or other

personal items.personal items.personal items.personal items. Offer your child this simple

rule — if you put the item in your mouth,

keep it to yourself. The same goes for hats

and other headgear. If your child shares

pencils, markers or other classroom sup-

plies, stress the importance of keeping

them out of his or her mouth.

Avoid anyone who's sick.Avoid anyone who's sick.Avoid anyone who's sick.Avoid anyone who's sick. Remind your

child that sitting next to or playing with

someone who's sick could lead to his or her

own illness.

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Pink eye Pink eye Pink eye Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infec-

tion of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that

lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball. Pink eye

can be contagious; early diagnosis and treatment is

best to help limit its spread.

Here are some tips:

• Don't touch your eyes

with your hands .

• Wash your hands often.

• Use a clean towel and

washcloth daily.

• Don't share towels or

washcloths.

• Change your pillowcases.

Keep your child away from school until after treat-

ment has begun. Most schools and child care facili-

ties require that your child wait at least 24 hours

after starting treatment before returning to school

or child care.

The common cold common cold common cold common cold is a viral infection of your upper respi-

ratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is

usually harmless, although it may not feel that way. If it's

not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's the watery

eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the

above.

A cold virus enters your body through your mouth or

nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air

when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. But

it also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone

who has a cold or by using shared objects, such as uten-

sils, towels, toys or telephones. If you touch your eyes,

nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, you're

likely to "catch" a cold.

Influenza Influenza Influenza Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory

system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, com-

monly called the flu, is not the same as the stomach vi-

ruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

People at higher risk of developing flu complications

include:

• Young children

• Older adults

• Pregnant women

• People with weakened immune systems

• People who have chronic illnesses

Your best defense against influenza is to receive an

annual vaccination

Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

Fever over 100 F (38 C) Dry Cough

Chills and sweats Aching Muscles

Headache Fatigue and weakness

Viral gastroenteritis Viral gastroenteritis Viral gastroenteritis Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked

by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or

vomiting, and sometimes fever.

The most common way to develop viral gastroenteri-

tis — often called stomach flu — is through contact

with an infected person or ingestion of contaminated

food or water. If you're otherwise healthy, you'll

likely recover without complications. But for infants,

older adults and people with compromised immune

systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.

There's no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis,

so prevention is key. In addition to avoiding food

and water that may be contaminated, thorough and

frequent hand washing is your best defense.

Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intes-

tines, causing signs and symptoms such as:

• Watery, usually non-bloody diarrhea (bloody

diarrhea usually means you have a different, more

severe infection)

• Abdominal cramps and pain

• Nausea, vomiting or both

• Occasional muscle aches or headache

• Low-grade fever. The best way to prevent fevers

is to reduce your exposure to infectious dis-

eases. One of the most effective ways to do that

is also one of the simplest — frequent hand wash-

ing

Most effective — way to prevent illness, both at home and at school. Remind your child to wash his or her hands before eating and after using the toilet, blowing his or her nose, or playing outside. Suggest soaping up for as long as it takes to sing the ABCs, the "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" song or the "Happy Birthday" song.