What is it?
Colds and flu are respiratory illnesses - infections of the head and chest - that are caused by viruses.  Colds can cause a stuffy nose, runny nose (with clear or greenish mucus), headache, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat, and cough.  The flu can also include fever, achiness, and fatigue.  People with colds are usually mildly ill for a week.  People with the flu are often a little sicker for a little longer.

How Are They Spread?
Colds and flu are spread by contact with mucus from the nose or saliva.  They can be spread by coughing and sneezing, kissing on the lips and sharing food, eating utensils and mouthed toys.  They are also spread by touching your hands to your nose and mouth, reusing tissues, and forgetting to wash your hands after blowing noses.  They spread most easily in crowded, poorly ventilated and overheated rooms.

When Are They Contagious?
Colds and flu start being contagious 1-2 days before the symptoms start and in the first 1-2 days of the illness.  They become less contagious over the course of the illness.  After exposure to colds and flu, it usually takes several days to become ill.

How Are They Diagnosed and Treated?
Colds and flu are diagnosed by the common symptoms.  Generally, no medication is needed to treat colds and flu.  The best treatment is to help the body's own defenses fight the virus by a few simple measures; adequate rest, nutrition, and plenty of liquids to drink.  Home remedies such as chicken soup and teas (without caffeine) are fine.  A vaporizer can help relieve congestion.  In general, medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and antibiotics do not help children's colds and flu and can occasionally be dangerous.  You don't need to bundle children up or keep them indoors - just dress them appropriately for the weather and the own comfort.  Children who are uncomfortable with fever may be given acetaminophen - never give aspirin since it can cause a fatal condition call Reye's Syndrome.

Should the Child Stay Home?
A child with a cold or flu does not need to stay home as long as s/he is feeling well enough to participate in the program's activities.

How Can We Limit the Spread?

• Caregivers should consider getting a yearly influenza vaccine to protect them against a common cause of the flu.  This is highly recommended for elderly and people with immune problems or chronic illnesses such as asthma and heart disease.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow and away from people.  If you cough or sneeze into your hand or a tissue, wash your hands afterwards.
• Wipe runny noses with a clean tissue, throw the tissue away, then wash your hands.
• Don't share food, pacifiers, bottles or toothbrushes.  Wash eating utensils and drinking cups well between uses.
• Clean and disinfect mouthed toys and dining tables after each use.  Clean and disinfect water fountains, telephone receivers, and other frequently handled items daily.
• Discourage nose picking.  Try to limit touching the eyes, nose and mouth.
• Don't kiss children on the mouth - hug them and kiss them on the forehead instead.
• maximize outdoor play and indoor ventilation.

Information provided on this page is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of medical treatment.  The recommendations do not indicate a course of treatment or medical care.

These are guidelines to develop policies and procedures for preventing, recognizing and managing communicable disease in child care.  If the children in your care have been exposed to this disease, you may copy this exposure notice and hand out to your day care parents.

This Exposure Notice has been copied from "Keeping Kids Healthy, Preventing and Managing Communicable Disease in Child Care", a project of the The Center for Health Training funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division.
 
 

Home
Calendar of Events |  Child Care Associations | Resources
Health Notes  | Legislative Update | Licensing Update | Membership
Association Leadership | About Us |Contact Us
Webmaster