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RSV, Flu and Pertussis Information
Dear Parent or Guardian, In the last month, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has seen a significant decrease in the number of pertussis (also called whooping cough) cases reported at Hill City School. However, other respiratory illnesses, including influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), continue to circulate at high levels in Minnesota. While symptoms for pertussis, flu, and RSV can be similar, each have slightly different recommendations for staying out of school.
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Symptoms |
Contagious period |
Stay out of school |
Pertussis |
Runny nose, nasal congestion, a cough that becomes uncontrollable over time and may lead to gagging, vomiting or high pitched whoop noise |
For 21 days after onset of coughing or until completion of antibiotic treatment (usually 5 days) |
Until 21 days of coughing has passed or antibiotic treatment is completed, whichever comes first |
Flu |
Fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, body aches |
1 day before and up to 7 days after symptoms begin |
Until fever is gone for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medicine (often 5-7 days) and child feels healthy enough |
RSV |
Cough, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing |
3 to 8 days after symptoms begin |
Until fever is gone without use of fever-reducing medicine and child feels healthy enough (up to 7 days) |
To help prevent these illnesses, make sure you and your child:
- Wash your hands.
- Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
- Do not share anything that goes into the mouth (such as cups and eating utensils).
You can also make sure your child is up-to-date on their pertussis and flu vaccines. It is not too late to get a flu vaccine, even if your child already had flu, because the vaccine protects against multiple strains that are circulating.
For more information, go to the MDH Immunization website (www.health.state.mn.us/immunize) and the Hennepin County Infectious Disease Manual (www.hennepin.us/residents/health-medical/infectious-diseases), or contact me at (218)697-2394 ext: 102
Cassandra DeLung, RN
Hill City School Nurse
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