Fall is here and we are seeing the spread of viral illnesses. This often happens when we are spending more time indoors with one another and celebrating holidays. Some common viral illnesses expected are Influenza and COVID-19.
Influenza, often referred to as “the flu”, is not the same illness as the “stomach flu”. Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that may present with the following symptoms: chills, body aches, fever, headache, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Once infected with influenza, it may take 1-4 days for symptoms to start and symptoms usually last up to 7 days. Influenza is spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching contaminated hands, objects, or surfaces.
The contagious period includes the first 24 hours before and up to 7 days after the illness begins. Common ways to prevent the spread of influenza include covering your cough, proper hand hygiene, staying home when ill, proper cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, and receiving your annual influenza vaccination. If you think your child has influenza, it is recommended that you notify your childcare provider and/or the school health office. Please keep your child home from childcare and school until 24 hours after fever is gone (without the use of fever reducing medicine) and your child is healthy enough for routine activities. If you have concerns with your child's health, it is encouraged to call your healthcare provider.
COVID-19 is another respiratory viral infection that is highly contagious and may present with the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headache, vomiting/diarrhea, or a loss of taste or smell. Once infected with COVID-19, it may take 2 -14 days for symptoms to start, while some people remain asymptomatic. COVID-19 is commonly spread when in close contact with an infected person through speaking, singing, coughing and sneezing. Cases with no symptoms are still able to spread the virus to others. The contagious period includes 2 days prior to and 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For those who test positive for the illness, yet do not have symptoms, the contagious period goes from the date of the positive COVID test. Common ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include monitoring for symptoms, staying home when ill, testing for COVID, wearing a well fitting mask, covering your nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing, proper hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and completing your COVID-19 vaccine series and receiving the booster when eligible. If you think your child has COVID-19, it is recommended that you notify your childcare provider and/or the school health office.
For COVID-19, please keep your child home from childcare and school until all of the following guidelines have been met. It has been at least 5 days since the onset of symptoms or a positive test, whichever is first, your child has 24 hours of improvement of symptoms, and it has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication. Please contact the health office for assistance with determining your child's return date. If you have concerns with your child's health, it is encouraged to call your healthcare provider.
It's not too late to get vaccinated. You may even receive both the Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time. Below are a list of local COVID-19 and Influenza vaccine providers.
Murray County Clinic Slayton, MN
Please call 507-836-6153 to schedule an appointment, walk-ins are also welcome.
GuidePoint Pharmacy Slayton, MN
Please call 507-873-2075 to schedule an appointment for your COVID vaccine, walk-ins are welcome for the influenza vaccine.
Thrifty White Drug, Slayton MN
Please call 507-836-6702 or go online to thriftywhite.com to schedule an appointment, walk-ins are also welcome.
Thank you,
Desirée Haupert
MCC Health Services Coordinator