Indeed, we’re in the thick of it with upper respiratory infections! The NH Department of Health and Human Services reports that influenza rates are unusually high this season.
Here are some general reminders about influenza (“the flu”):
- This is a viral infection.
- Incubation period is 1-4 days (from the time of virus exposure and symptom onset)
- You can spread the virus before your symptoms begin which tend to develop around day 2 of the infection.
- Spreads from person-to-person either through close contact, sharing food or drinks, or touching your face or mouth after touching a contaminated surface which makes hand hygiene of utmost importance.
- Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, sinus congestion, and runny nose.
At Crossroads Academy we advise that students remain out of school for 24 hours after they are fever-free without fever-reducing medications and symptoms are improving. A common length of illness and contagion is 5-7 days, but may be 10 days or more if one is severely ill or has a compromised immune system.
As this is a virus, antibiotics are not used for influenza. However, there are other medications that can make your child (or you) more comfortable, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for muscle aches and sore throat and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever and headache. Decongestants and antihistamines can help sinus symptoms. Please discuss if these medications are advised for you with your health care provider. Warm salt water gargles are helpful for sore throat. Allowing yourself time to rest helps you to recover more quickly, and hydration with water or tea is very important in your recovery, especially while running a fever. Vitamin D has been proven to be a good support for the immune system as well so consider starting a daily supplement.
There is an anti-viral prescription medication called Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) that can be used both as a preventative measure and as a treatment. Please discuss this with your health care provider.
Last winter (2024-2025), New Hampshire also witnessed a significant spike in cases of community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children. While pneumonia can be viral, bacterial, or even fungal, the predominant type was found to be due to a bacteria known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This is more commonly referred to as “walking pneumonia” because the symptoms are thought to be more mild than other bacterial pneumonia.
Having a virus makes you more prone to bacterial infections as your immune system is distracted fighting off the virus.
Keep this in mind if your child is ill with viral symptoms, seems to be getting better, and then turns ill again. A new fever further into illness can often represent a bacterial infection at that point and deserves an evaluation with a health care provider. Symptoms other than fever or chills can include unusual fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, lack of desire to eat or drink, fingertips or lips turning blue.
Although pneumonia often comes with the expected cough, it can fool you and not have this as the predominant symptom. If you are seeing a trend in the wrong direction with your child’s illness, especially with new fever or fatigue, please consider that they may have pneumonia and be in need of antibiotics.
We encourage you to stay in touch with the Crossroads Academy nursing staff (healthoffice@crossroadsacademy.org) if your child is ill or has recently recovered from an illness. We are here to support you and your child.
Have a healthy and happy winter!
Nurse Tiffany
