It’s flu season and the influenza virus is going strong. As of February 2025, all regions of Massachusetts are reporting high influenza activity, with Influenza Type A being the most common strain.
If you feel the symptoms of the flu coming on, please do yourself and your colleagues, students, and fellow parishioners a favor and stay home. If your child has any of the symptoms, play it safe and keep your child home. Check out this Flu Symptom Checklist to help you make an informed decision.
How Contagious Is it?
Flu is highly contagious.
Symptoms of flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Some people with flu will not have a fever.
People with the flu may infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5-7 days after. Children and people with weakened immune systems can shed virus for longer, and might still be contagious past 7 days, especially if they still have symptoms.
How Can I Stay Healthy?
Healthy habits can prevent the flu. Here are steps you can take:
- Get vaccinated each year: Influenza (flu) vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the influenza viruses that are used to make vaccine.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep your distance and wear a mask.
- Stay home when you are sick. You can go back to normal actives when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are getting better overall AND you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and consider wearing a mask around others.
- Clean your hands often and wash them well.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Take steps for cleaner air – cleaner air, such as outdoor air or the use of indoor air purifiers, can reduce the risk of exposure to viruses.
- Practice good hygiene – clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and handrails, frequently.
- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Weekly Flu Reports
Each week throughout flu season (October-May) the Department of Public Health publishes a Weekly Flu Report which indicates the impact of flu-like illness in Massachusetts. If you have additional questions about influenza activity or trends, please call (617) 983-6800 to speak with an epidemiologist.
Resources
The Department of Public Health offers a website where you can download resources flu for School Administrators and Childcare Professionals.