It's spring-like outside, but the threat of getting the flu isn't melting away with the snow.
We are still in flu season and health officials are asking people to take extra precautions.
This season we actually started backwards with Influenza B dominating, now Influenza A is on the rise.
"Now it's going back up and we are not quite up to the peak we saw earlier in the season but we are getting close. But now it's Influenza A," says Director of Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness at Washoe County Health District, Randall Todd.
Randall Todd says it's not too late to get a flu shot, but it's also important to be washing your hands and staying away from people who appear sick.
All of these practices will help protect you from the dangers of the flu.
"It can get very serious, people have died of the flu. So far this year in Washoe County six people have died from influenza and we're investigating two other deaths that might be flu related. So it can get very very serious," says Todd.
Washoe County School District Health Officials are urging students and parents to take the same precautions.Â
Schools tend to be little petri dishes for germs, and common colds and the flu thrive in those environments.
"We're in close quarters, everyone is touching everything else, everyone is touching everybody else. And off of the desks, off of door knobs it's very common to get a cold or the flu," says Clinical Services Director, Mari Hartmann.
Mari Hartmann stresses the importance of educating out students about the dangers of the flu. As well as what students can do to stay healthy.
"Staying safe in school around flu season... good hand hygiene, washing your hands after using the restroom before they eat. Keeping their hands off of their face especially if they haven't been washed. Staying home if they're sick, especially if they have a fever," says Hartmann.
Another good tip is to not share food if something has already been touched or in someone else's mouth, and staying home from school if you're sick.
"If your child has the flu or a cold, number one they aren't going to be learning ready. They're not going to be able to learn the information the teachers are teaching. As well as they're going to get all of the other students sick too," says Hartmann.
Click on the link below to learn more:
Â
Â
Â
