Many students in different grades have been absent from school due to the flu virus. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, and feeling very tired.
Weston Park, a sixth-grade student at Patrick M. Villano School, shared his experience with the flu. “I felt very cold and I had very bad headaches,” Park said. He also said he felt dizzy often and threw up. Because of his illness, Park missed at least four days of school.
The New Jersey Department of Health tracks illnesses each week. For the week ending December 13, the department reported on its website that emergency department visits and hospital admissions were increasing for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. RSV is an illness that effects breathing. The report stated that influenza showed the sharpest increase.
School nurse Katie Carolan also spoke about the recent flu cases. “We had about 20 to 30 kids out with the flu,” Carolan said. She added that students who feel sick should stay home to help prevent others from getting sick.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported similar information. According to its website, seasonal influenza activity is increasing across the country.
Health organizations recommend steps such as washing hands often, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy foods to help reduce the spread of illness. The CDC also reports that getting a flu vaccine each year can help protect against the flu.
