AISD Student Health Services, in collaboration with Dell Children’s Medical Center and Seton Healthcare Family, continues to monitor illness in the Austin region and absenteeism at AISD schools as a result of influenza and the common cold. 

The health of our students, staff members and AISD families is a priority. To help you stay healthy this time of year, AISD offers the following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control:

• Get vaccinated.  The flu vaccine is the most important tool we have for preventing the flu
• Cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue. No tissue? Then cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from spreading infection.

Centers for Disease (CDC) Resources:

Twelve Health & Safety Tips: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HealthyTips/index.html

What Should You Know for the 2012/2013 Influenza Season: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HealthyTips/index.html

Flu Season Is Here-Vaccinate to Protect You and Your Loved Ones from Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Flu/

Take Everyday Preventive Actions to Stop the Spread of Germs: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm

Free Flu Shots

AISD staff members may also get free flu shots with their Blue Cross Blue Shield card at HEB, CVS or Walgreens.