Watching the news and constantly hearing about the Enterovirus D68 or Ebola virus can bring emotions like fear, stress or worry into play for adults. Imagine what your child might be thinking or feeling!
Knowing the facts about illness transmission and having a discussion with your child to determine what he/she really knows or how he/she is perceiving the illness can help alleviate lots of fear. The Enterovirus is transmitted from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches a surface that is then touched by others. Symptoms are fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, body and muscle aches. Wheezing and difficulty breathing are some of the severe symptoms. The Ebola virus (prevalent in West Africa) is transmitted through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes: mouth, nose, eyes) with an infected person’s bodily fluids including sweat, saliva, urine, breast milk, feces etc. Symptoms are fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding.
You can help protect yourself and your child by taking the following steps:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue and discard after or use your inner arm not your hands
- Avoid touching your mouth, face or nose unless your hands are clean
- Avoid sharing eating and drinking utensils with anyone
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces or items including door knobs, electronics, toys, cell phones
- Avoid sick contacts and stay home or keep your child home when he/she is not feeling well
- Protect yourself and your child from the flu by getting vaccinated every year
- See your doctor regularly and schedule yearly physical for your child to keep your child current on his/her vaccinations which can ward of many preventable diseases
I encourage you to talk to your child to clear any misconceptions he/she may have about those viruses and arm them with the tools to keep them safe.
Until next time, remain healthy.
Marie Confident, RN, BSN
Shorecrest school nurse
