Flu Information

Your respiratory illness might be the flu if you have sudden onset of body aches, fever, and respiratory symptoms, and your illness occurs during November through April (the usual flu season in the Northern Hemisphere). However, during this time, other respiratory illnesses can cause similar symptoms and flu can be caught at any time of the year. It is impossible to tell for sure if you have the flu based on symptoms alone. During the first few days of your illness, doctors can perform tests to see if you have the flu.

What you should do if you get the Flu:

• Rest
• Drink plenty of Liquids
• Take medication to relieve the Symptoms of the flu

A virus causes influenza, so antibiotics (like penicillin) will not work.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get an influenza vaccine (flu shot) each fall, before flu season.

***Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms and particularly fever without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reyes syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should get plenty of rest; drink lots of liquids, and take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms.***

Flu Resources

• Flu Facts
• Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu this school year
• BISD Widespread Flu Procedures
• Handwashing Poster
• Handwashing Podcast [for Elementary Students]
• Tarrant County Health Department to Parents

Additional Flu Resources

• CDC Flu Website
• Texas Department of State HealthServices - Flu
• Hechos de influenza (español)
• Sugerencias Para Los Padres (H1N1) (español)