By ERIN BEIL

Staff writer

The coined phrase “flu unto others as you would have them flu unto you,” can be applied to more than just influenza shots.

It’s that time of year again where songs of hacking, coughing and sneezing echo off walls throughout coffee shops, grocery stores, libraries and schools.

“The flu season is here,” said Vonnie Saucerman, Central Kitsap School District school nurse. “We are teaching our kids and putting the word out to staff members to wash their hands with soap and water … and if you don’t have soap, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.”

Combatting germ knowledge throughout the year, teachers and nurses in CKSD regularly remind students and their parents how to prevent catching and spreading seasonal viruses.

Saucerman added that people should wash their hands with soap and water for the equivalent of 20 seconds, or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row. Saying the alphabet twice also works. She added if people use hand sanitizer, they need to rub it in their hands until it completely dissolves, wiping half of it off onto pants or on a hand towel does not ensure complete effectiveness.

“We have a hard time reaching the secondary students with germ control,” she said. “A number of buildings in the district have morning news shows on hand washing.”

Another problem, Saucerman added, is that on many occasions, students are sent to school when they are still contagious. Whether it be reluctancy to miss class or parents sending their children to school too soon, they run the risk of infecting fellow classmates or teachers.

“Back to the very basics of infection control, wash hands, cough into the crook of your arm, get lots of rest and plenty of fluids,” said Kitsap County Health District Director Scott Lindquist. “Basic infection control will help prevent spreading.”

Lindquist added that people should remain home if they are experiencing fever, diarrhea or vomiting and should not return to school or work until symptoms have subsided for at least 24 hours.

Along with proper hand washing, Saucerman said students should maintain a social distance of at least 3 feet from any peer who seems to be feeling under the weather.

“We have occasionally put face masks on students who are coughing and waiting for their parents to pick them up,” Saucerman said. “People need to get used to seeing that.”

Saucerman added that at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, people who are waiting to see a doctor and coughing are asked to wear a face mask.

“People need to stay at home if they’re ill,” she added.

Some of the biggest differences with the flu virus versus a cold is a high fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, headache and extreme fatigue. Saucerman said that although the symptoms of a cold are more mild than that of the flu, individuals should still remain home until symptoms diminish.

“We’re pushing (proper germ fighting skills) all this fall,” Saucerman said. “So all students know them.”

Lindquist said it’s not too late for people to get their flu shots now because flu season regularly comes at the end of November throughout December.

“This is good practice to get into place before the holiday season,” he said.

For more information about how to prevent cold and flu viruses, visit the school district’s health Web site at http://specialservices.cksd.wednet.edu/healthsrv/index.html, or www.kitsapcountyhealth.com.

Seven ways to

help prevent

spreading the flu

• Wash hands multiple times throughout the day especially before eating

• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice

• Cough into sleeve or elbow, not hand

• Sneeze into sleeve or elbow, not hand

• A daily dose of Vitamin C will help boost the immune system

• Stay home when feeling ill to prevent contaminating others

• Stay home until fever, diarrhea or vomiting has subsided for at least 24 hours