A Health Campaign of Uniformed Services University, www.usuhs.edu, and theCenter for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, Maryland, www.CSTSonline.org

Caring for Your Family During
Flu Season
As a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, here
are some important things you should know
about caring for your family and children
during the flu season.

TIPS TO AVOID GETTING THE FLU

Here are some ways to help avoid getting
the flu. This is a good time to teach or remindchildren about good health habits that can lasta lifetime.

FACTS ABOUT THE FLU■ Avoid close contact with people who aresick, and don’t expose others to you or
your family if sick.

What is the flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory infection
caused by the influenza virus. It can cause
mild to severe illness, and in some instances
result in death.
How is the flu different from a common cold?
With colds, one rarely gets fevers, headaches, orexperiences extreme fatigue, all symptoms of the flu (see flu
symptoms below).
When and how does the flu spread?
Flu season is November through March. The flu is spreadthrough coughing, sneezing, and even touching. You can
get the flu from the cough or sneeze of someone who has
it, or by touching a surface that someone with the flu has
touched (such as a door knob, stair railing, or telephone)and then putting that finger or hand in contact with yournose, mouth, or eyes. People with the flu are contagious one
day before their symptoms start and for up to seven days
after symptoms appear.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu starts suddenly and may include some of thefollowing:■ Fever (usually high)■ Headache■ Tiredness■ Dry cough■ Sore throat■ Runny or stuffy nose
■ Body aches■ In children, sinus infections, ear infections, andstomach symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea)
can occur■ Wash your hands often with soap andwater or alcohol-based hand wipes toprotect from germs.

■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Germs often spread when you touch
something with germs and then touch your eyes, nose,or mouth.
What should I do if my child gets the flu?
■ At the first sign of the flu, keep your child at home.

Sending a sick child to school puts others at risk:children, teachers, and your own child.

■ Do not give your child or adolescent aspirin with the flu

or a fever. Aspirin can cause Reyes Syndrome, a serious
Continued

Emergency warning signs: If your child
exhibits any of these symptoms, call yourdoctor immediately■ Fast breathing or trouble breathing■ Bluish skin color■ Not drinking enough fluids■ Not waking up or not interacting■ Being so irritable that the child does not want tobe held
■ Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return withfever and worse cough■ Fever with a rash■ Call your doctor for advice on medications, even overthe counter medications as complications can arisein children with other health problems, even healthy
children.

■ Stay home from work with a sick child or provide

childcare at home. Do not leave your child alone.

■ Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks lotsof liquids.

■ Be familiar with your school district’s rules on

returning a child to school after the flu.

Take Care of Yourself!!
Many military parents are coping with other issues:
lengthened deployments, extended time as an only
parent, being the parent of a spouse that might besuffering injury or trauma, or living off base with one’s
family, just to name a few. These issues are stressful,and add to fatigue when illness strikes. If you or
your children get sick, seek help from your medical
provider. Ask friends or family to run to the market or
drugstore. Better yet, be prepared! Stock up on cannedsoups and fruit juices and freeze breads and meats sothat in the event of illness there will be healthy foodin your home.

MAKE A KIT FOR SCHOOL
You may want to assemble the following items to put in yourchild’s backpack or lunchbox to reinforce good health habits,
especially during flu season. Make sure your child’s school
permits such items taken into the classroom.
In a large plastic zipper bag (freezer bag), put:
■ Tissues. Puffs To Go, Kleenex or a drugstore brand all come in small sizes. Many havecolorful, fun designs that children will like and enjoy using.
■ Anitbacterial moist towelettes. Wet Ones, Nice’N Clean and store brands also come insmall sizes that can be opened and resealed.
■ Small plastic bottles of sanitizing gel (such as Purell). Children can rub this on theirhands; it dissolves, cleans, and requires no tissue or towels .
■ A smaller plastic zipper bag inserted into the larger bag. Children can put their used

tissues into this and seal it. This avoids the spread of germs of tissues thrown into
open wastebaskets.
These items can be found in most drugstores in the travel, paper or cold aisles.
When you make this kit with your child and explain what each item is for, you’ve madeflu season a teachable moment!

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org