Good day Kimball. February is here. I like to think once you get to February, the major long periods of cold weather are over and now we just have to get through any of the snow storms that come through the next two months.
This month also heats up in the activities as all the groups are competing for the final push before sections and tournament action begins. It is an extremely busy time for the students. All the pressures of homework, tests, and competing at the highest level can take its toll. Parents, please make sure your children are getting plenty of sleep and nutrition to help them stay healthy.
This time of year is tough, but this year has been especially difficult with all of the sickness going around. I?Äôve received a number of reports on the norovirus from state officials as they have identified it getting to Minnesota. I thought I would include some information on the virus for you. I found this information online through
people.com/human interest.
What is the norovirus? Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines or both, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and sometimes fever, headaches and body aches. How long do symptoms last? A person usually develops symptoms within 12 to 48 hours after being exposed. Most people begin to feel better within one to three days. How is norovirus transmitted? You can become infected through contact with stool or vomit of infected people. This can happen through:
?Ä¢ Eating food or drinking
liquids that are contaminated
with the virus
?Ä¢ Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus
?Ä¢ Having contact with someone who is infected
How is it treated? There is no
treatment for norovirus. Antibiotics will not help because it is a viral (not bacterial) infection. People with norovirus should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
How can you avoid it? There is no vaccine to prevent the norovirus. The best way to protect yourself is to:
?Ä¢ Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating, preparing or handling food
?Ä¢ Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly (noroviruses can survive temperatures as high as 140 degrees)
?Ä¢ Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution
?Ä¢ Wash laundry thoroughly in hot water and wear rubber gloves while handling items soiled by sick people
Hopefully, you find this information useful and helpful. I know in both the elementary and high school buildings we have had a number of colds, flu, and strep throat. We want to keep everyone healthy so I want to get this information for all to take the precautions needed to prevent as much spread of the sickness as possible.
That is all I have for now. Enjoy the weekend and keep following the Cubs as they make their move. Have a great day. GO CUBS!