Hello Cozy Lake Families,
Funny thing...I am actually really glad to be finally posting about something other than COVID!
HFMD is making a visit to Cozy Lake and from what I hear, our community. Here's what you need to know.
HFMD is a common childhood virus that usually results in mild symptoms. A person with HFMD may have all or some of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- poor appetite
- tiny sores in the mouth
- skin rash (flat or bumpy red spots-may have blisters)
HFMD is very contagious and can spread from close personal contact and/or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Generally a person with HFMD is most contagious during the first week of illness, but can remain contagious for days or weeks post infection. Some people who are exposed and infected with HFMD do not develop any symptoms. If symptoms occur, they usually develop 3-5 days post exposure.
HFMD has no specific treatment. The virus just needs to run its course. As always, we encourage increasing fluids and eating a healthy diet to boost the immune system.
To prevent the spread of HFMD, we ask students with signs or symptoms of HFMD to stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine, in addition to ensuring any blisters have scabbed prior to returning to school. Please alert me if you suspect HFMD so that I can keep track of cases here at Cozy.
In addition, we reinforce healthy hygiene habits with all the students, including but not limited to the importance of frequent and effective handwashing, germ prevention skills and covering their coughs and sneeze. Please help us by reinforcing these skills at home as well.
We also requested our maintenance team do a sanitizing surface-focused cleaning on any classrooms where we have known cases.
Keep in mind that this is merely another annoying but common virus and it too shall pass. As always, reach out to me with any questions or concerns at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535
