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Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, your federal medical school, Bethesda, Maryland • www. usuhs.mil

Continued on reverse side

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If you are a military mom or dad,

grandparent or caregiver, here are some

important things you should know about the

flu, and caring for children during the flu

season.

FACTS ABOUT THE FLU

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 or experiences

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 spread

through coughing, sneezing, 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 your nose,

mouth or eyes. People with the flu are contagious one day

before their symptoms start and for up to 7 days after

symptoms appear.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu starts suddenly and may include some of the

following:

■ Fever (usually high)

■ Headache

■ Tiredness

■ Dry cough

■ Sore throat

■ Runny or stuffy nose

■ Body aches

■ In children, sinus infections, ear infections and stomach

symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea) can occur

TIPS TO AVOID GETTING THE FLU

Here are some ways to help avoid getting the

flu. This is a good time to teach or remind

children about good health habits that can

last a lifetime.

Emergency warning signs: If your child

exhibits any of these symptoms, call your

doctor 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 to

be held

■ Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with

fever and worse cough

■ Fever with a rash

■ Avoid close contact with people who are

sick, and don’t expose others to you or

your family if sick.

■ Wash your hands often with soap and

water or alcohol-based handi wipes to

protect 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 condition that affects the nerves.

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FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS
COURAGE TO CARE is a new health promotion campaign of Uniformed Services University. Its

purpose is two-fold: to provide quality health information reflecting our University’s excellence

in military medicine and to present it in a friendly, appealing format for immediate

distribution for the health promotion needs in your community.

■ Call your doctor for advice on medications, even over

the counter medications as complications can arise in

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 lots

of 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 be

suffering 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 canned soups, fruit juices, freeze breads and

meats so that in the event of illness there will be

healthy food in your home.

MAKE A KIT FOR SCHOOL

You may want to assemble the following items to put in your

child’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 have

colorful, fun designs that boys and girls will like and enjoy using.

❏ Anitbacterial moist towelettes. Wet Ones, Nice’N Clean and store brands also come in

small sizes that can be opened and resealed.

❏ Small plastic bottles of sanitizing gel (such as Purell).Children can rub this on their

hands; 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

made flu season a teachable moment!

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Bethesda, MD 20841-4799 • www.usuhs.mil

Place medical office phone number

and 24-hour helpline number here.