• 57°

Flu causing school absences

The recent, warm weather has seemed more indicative of a summer cold than winter’s dreaded visitor, the flu. However, the flu season already is active for students in Madison City Schools.

(Photo contributed)

Alabama and other southeastern states have been hard hit. Westminster Christian Academy closed last week due to excessive absences due to illness.

“We are starting to receive confirmed cases of the flu in our schools,” superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said in system-wide email on Dec. 6. “Luckily, the percentage of students ill has not been to the point of considering a closure. Let’s all hope that our percentages stay low.”

Nurses in Madison City Schools compiled guidelines to follow, based on information from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). Common symptoms of flu include a fever of 100 degrees and higher, although some individual don’t have a fever; cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; headaches; body aches; chills; fatigue; and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Children with these symptoms should stay home until the symptoms end for 24 hours without medication. The nurse at each Madison school can answer questions, Fowler said.

Principal Melanie J. Barkley said the situation at Mill Creek Elementary hasn’t changed drastically since last week. “We have approximately four teachers out now as well. We have approximately 43 students out; I don’t know if it is all flu-related, but that is high for us,” she said.

“Also, the nurse has seen about 25 students (by noon) today for flu-like symptoms,” Barkley said. “It’s just that time of year.”

Principal Dorinda White at Rainbow Elementary School also issued email to parents, reminding them about the district’s policy for keeping a child home from school. A child should stay home for these conditions: 100 degree fever or higher;·vomiting or diarrhea within the last eight hours; productive cough; rashes; conjunctivitis (pink eye); and strep throat.

“Remember the best way to prevent illness is to encourage consistent hand-washing, proper rest and a healthy diet,” White said.

For more information, visit flu.gov/symptoms.

Bob Jones High School

Ashwin Prabhakar earns Gorgas Scholarship for state

Harvest

Tennessee Valley Interfaith Choir: Encouraging new musicales

Madison

“Don’t Mess with Madison PAC” to hold host public meeting Monday about special election

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones to host Fantasy Playhouse summer camps

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ ‘Patriot Pages,’ ‘The Eclectic’ ranked first in Alabama

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones AFJROTC faces off with St. Stephens NJROTC

Bob Jones High School

Top-rated students recognized for Reflections designs

Madison

Finalists named for Madison’s first MVP awards honoring volunteers

Madison

Former Madison mayor questions city council over city manager proposal; special election date set

James Clemens High School

Austen Wyche receives 2023 Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

Huntsville

UAH set for NCAA South Regional Championship game Tuesday

Huntsville

UAH advances with 76-69 thriller over Embry-Riddle

Madison

Mill Creek tops in state with Destination Imagination challenges

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones AFJROTC’s winning streak continues

Madison

School board green lights $58 million bond for new elementary school

Bob Jones High School

Lady Patriots hold off Sparkman in soccer rivalry match-up

James Clemens High School

James Clemens HOSA cinches wins at state conference

Huntsville

Season ends for Calhoun women

Harvest

‘A Night for Enable Garden Party’ to help aging, homebound

Huntsville

Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair returns to Toyota Field starting Friday

Huntsville

Tuberville presses Space Command general to confirm SPACECOM’s move to Alabama 

Huntsville

U.S. Rep. Strong gives first House floor speech, proposes bill to complete construction of southern border wall

Madison

Norfolk Southern train derails in Calhoun County as company faces investigation from federal agencies, apologizes to Congress

Business

Owners of closed Madison pain clinic sentenced

x