This is the season for a number of “bugs.”  We have had some cases of strep throat.  Cases of H1N1 (otherwise known as Swine Flu) are down.   However, we are still very early in the flu season so please remain vigilant for symptoms and please keep your child home if they develop symptoms.  This is a respiratory virus so watch for symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat.  Some people also experience nausea and vomiting but not everyone.  Please continue to remind your children to cover their coughs with their sleeves, wash their hands frequently, and keep their hands away from their face.   Get plenty of sleep and eat nutritionally balanced meals to help keep their bodies strong.  Also, please keep them home if they are feeling sick.  If they have a fever, they must remain home until they have been fever-free with no medication for fever for a full 24 hours.  To view Olathe District procedures and information related to H1N1 (Swine) Flu click on:  http://www.olatheschools.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1559&Itemid=332

If you have strep throat, you may have a red and painful sore throat.  There may or may not be white patches on your tonsils/throat.  Your lymph nodes on you neck may be swollen.  You may or may not run a fever or have a headache.  GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can occur but are more common in children than adults.  After taking antibiotics for 24 hours, you will no longer spread the bacteria to others and you can return to school.  Students with a fever of 100 or higher must remain at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen).