Madison schools face rising cases of flu

MADISON – It’s that time of year to stock up on tissue, nose spray and chicken soup. Flu season has arrived in Alabama, and Madison schools are feeling the brunt of sickness.

The Center for Disease Control and the Alabama Department of Public Health are reporting widespread flu activity in Alabama, Bonnie Davis said. Davis serves as Health Services/School System Nurse for Madison City Schools.

“Madison schools were thoroughly cleaned and sanitized over the break. The return of students, many of whom were in close contact with influenza sufferers over the holiday break, can quickly spread the flu to others if they are afflicted,” Davis said.

Case levels of influenza or flu are increasing across the state. An extremely contagious illness of the respiratory system, flu has symptoms that include fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

“This increased rate of flu activity is concerning because influenza can be a serious disease for anyone, including children, pregnant women and previously healthy young adults,” said Dr. Burnestine Taylor said. Taylor is Medical Officer for Disease Control and Prevention with Alabama Department of Public Health.

Davis reminded parents that the best way to heal from and prevent the spread of the flu virus or other illnesses is to keep a child home from school if he or she is sick.

Madison City Schools uses the following guidelines from the district’s Code of Conduct about deciding whether or not to let a child attend school during an illness:

* Temperature of 100 degrees F. or higher — A student must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school.

* Vomiting, diarrhea or both problems — These problems must have been resolved for at least eight hours before the child returns to class.

* Productive cough.

* Conjunctivitis (pink eye) — Students can return to school after having undergone a minimum of 24 hours of treatment.

* Streptococcal (strep throat) or other infection — A student can be readmitted at school with evidence of physician diagnosis and a minimum of 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.

“Other ways to prevent the flu and other illnesses is to encourage consistent hand washing, coughing into one’s sleeve or a tissue, proper rest and a healthy diet,” Davis said.

For more information about health warnings, visit alabamapublichealth.gov/news/2017/12/29a.html.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x