Doctor Warns Students on Flu Precautions as Arkansas Sees Surge
Rising Flu and COVID-19 Activity in Arkansas
Arkansas health officials are reminding families to take extra precautions as students return for the second semester of the school year. They have issued warnings that both flu and COVID-19 activity is increasing across the state, prompting a call for vigilance and preventive measures.
In Fayetteville, where students are set to return to class on Tuesday, Melissa Alderson, director of Health Services for Fayetteville Public Schools, emphasized the importance of daily health checks at home. She urged parents to ensure their children are well enough to attend school and to keep sick children at home to prevent the spread of illness.
- “The first thing parents can do is every morning make sure that their child is well enough to come to school,” Alderson said. “When sick kids stay home, it helps them. It helps their classmates, it helps staff. And it helps us stay in school longer.”
Fayetteville Public Schools officials have also announced plans to increase cleaning efforts in classrooms and across all school facilities as students return. This proactive approach aims to maintain a safer environment for students and staff alike.
Flu Activity Reaches High Levels
Doctors across the state are reporting a significant rise in influenza cases. Dr. Cole Wood, an infectious disease physician at Washington Regional Medical Center, pointed to federal surveillance data showing Arkansas in a “very high” category for flu activity. He highlighted the importance of multiple prevention strategies, including hand hygiene and staying home when feverish.
Wood also encouraged vaccinations, noting that it is not too late in the season for shots to provide protection. He explained that the flu vaccine becomes effective after about a week or two, and there is still plenty of time for people to be fully vaccinated for this flu season.
- “The flu vaccine is effective after about a week or two,” Wood said. “There’s still plenty of time for people to be fully vaccinated for this flu season.”
Parental Precautions and Education
Parents in Fayetteville are reinforcing these preventive habits as children head back to school. One parent, Carrie Chase, shared her family’s approach to staying healthy. She mentioned that they prioritize annual flu shots and frequent handwashing.
- “Making sure that we get our flu vaccines every year,” Chase said. “And then also making sure that we wash our hands really good before we eat, after we come from outside.”
Dr. Wood advised families to seek medical care if symptoms feel more severe than a typical cold, so clinicians can evaluate whether treatment is appropriate.
- “If you think that this feels worse than just a regular cold, then go get checked out,” he said.
Federal Recommendations and School Safety
This comes at a time when federal health officials are now recommending fewer vaccines for kids. However, local health experts continue to emphasize the importance of following recommended vaccination schedules and taking preventive measures to protect public health.
As schools prepare for the new semester, the focus remains on ensuring a safe and healthy environment for students, teachers, and staff. With rising flu and COVID-19 activity, the need for vigilance and proactive measures has never been more critical.
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