PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Public Schools sent a notice to families late last week advising students to stay home and maintain good hygiene habits as upper respiratory illnesses sweep through the area, causing an uptick in student absences.
Calvert County Public School (CCPS) officials didn’t immediately return The BayNet’s request for more information about the student absences due to flu, but parents took to social media to share their concerns about the illnesses going around this season.
The email was sent Friday from Calvert County Health Officer Dr. Nimfa Teneza-Mora, MD, MDH. It states that students have gotten sick with an “influenza-like illness” (ILI). Symptoms include fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea. These symptoms can encompass a range of upper respiratory illnesses, including influenza A and B, COVID-19, and RSV. These symptoms are also regularly seen with the common cold, but cold symptoms will likely be less severe. The virus can be severe and even deadly to anyone, but infants, toddlers, seniors, and pregnant women are at a heightened risk.
Additionally, the email encouraged students and their families to adopt habits such as frequent hand-washing, cleaning and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, teaching kids not to share personal items like water bottles, and getting vaccinated. Learning how germs are spread and taking steps to prevent it can go a long way in minimizing illness.
Flu season runs from October to May, peaking between December and February. Viruses thrive in cold, dry air and can linger longer and spread faster during the winter months. Anecdotally, many parents and teachers know the havoc illness wreaks during this time of year. When one kid brings home a virus, it can knock out the whole household for weeks.
Experts maintain that the best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated and practice safe habits.
You can learn more about preventing communicable diseases on the Calvert County Health Department’s website.
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