1. Help Save Lives!
• Use hand sanitizer. Give your child al- Common Infections
cohol-based hand sanitizer to keep in his or
her desk. Remind your child to use the sani- &
tizer before eating snacks or lunch and after
using a shared computer mouse, pencil Ways to Prevent the
sharpener, water fountain or other commu- Spreading of Germs
nity objects. You might also donate disin-
fecting wipes to the classroom for general
use.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you
cough or sneeze. Give your child a package
of tissues to keep in his or her desk. Encour-
age your child to cough or sneeze into a
tissue — then put the tissue in the trash, and
wash his or her hands or use hand sanitizer.
If it isn't possible to reach a tissue in time,
remind your child to cough or sneeze into Mission: to provide grass-root programs that embody a
holistic approach towards making an individual productive in
the crook of his or her elbow.
his/her community.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes
For more health tips or Information about the Health Unit,
and out of your mouth. Remind your child contact Lequita Williams
that hands are often covered in germs. 229-712-9264
• Don't share water bottles, food or other
personal items. Offer your child this simple
rule — if you put the item in your mouth,
keep it to yourself. The same goes for hats
and other headgear. If your child shares
6912 Williams Road • Seffner, Fl 33584
pencils, markers or other classroom sup-
p. 813.622.7151 f. 813.612.5432
plies, stress the importance of keeping
www.opeinc.org
them out of his or her mouth.
Avoid anyone who's sick. Remind your
child that sitting next to or playing with
someone who's sick could lead to his or her
own illness.

2. Most effective — way to prevent illness, both at home and at school. Remind your child to wash his or her hands before eating and after
using the toilet, blowing his or her nose, or playing outside. Suggest soaping up for as long as it takes to sing the ABCs, the "Row, Row, Row
Your Boat" song or the "Happy Birthday" song.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infec-
The common cold is a viral infection of your upper respi- Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked
tion of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that
ratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or
lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball. Pink eye
usually harmless, although it may not feel that way. If it's vomiting, and sometimes fever.
can be contagious; early diagnosis and treatment is
not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's the watery The most common way to develop viral gastroenteri-
best to help limit its spread.
tis — often called stomach flu — is through contact
Here are some tips: eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the
with an infected person or ingestion of contaminated
• Don't touch your eyes above.
food or water. If you're otherwise healthy, you'll
with your hands . A cold virus enters your body through your mouth or
likely recover without complications. But for infants,
• Wash your hands often. nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air older adults and people with compromised immune
• Use a clean towel and when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. But systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.
washcloth daily. it also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone There's no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis,
• Don't share towels or
who has a cold or by using shared objects, such as uten- so prevention is key. In addition to avoiding food
sils, towels, toys or telephones. If you touch your eyes, and water that may be contaminated, thorough and
washcloths.
nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, you're frequent hand washing is your best defense.
• Change your pillowcases.
Keep your child away from school until after treat- likely to "catch" a cold. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intes-
ment has begun. Most schools and child care facili- Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory tines, causing signs and symptoms such as:
ties require that your child wait at least 24 hours system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, com- • Watery, usually non-bloody diarrhea (bloody
monly called the flu, is not the same as the stomach vi- diarrhea usually means you have a different, more
after starting treatment before returning to school
ruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. severe infection)
or child care.
People at higher risk of developing flu complications • Abdominal cramps and pain
include: • Nausea, vomiting or both
• Young children • Occasional muscle aches or headache
• Older adults • Low-grade fever. The best way to prevent fevers
• Pregnant women is to reduce your exposure to infectious dis-
• People with weakened immune systems eases. One of the most effective ways to do that
• People who have chronic illnesses is also one of the simplest — frequent hand wash-
Your best defense against influenza is to receive an
ing
annual vaccination
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:
Fever over 100 F (38 C) Dry Cough
Chills and sweats Aching Muscles
Headache Fatigue and weakness