December is Influenza Awareness month.  Students from the Falls Church Academy Health Informatics and Billing and Coding classes, who are also members of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) are busy providing helpful tips to students and staff throughout the high school about ways to combat influenza. In addition to awareness bulletin boards and flu fighting tips visible on all FCHS home screens, students are asking the school community to wear black on Tuesdays in support of this flu awareness campaign during the month of December.  These messages help to serve as a reminder of how not to spread the flu virus.

In addition, each morning during December a ‘flu fact’ will be presented during morning announcements.  These public service announcements are presented by the students in Health Informatics and Billing and Coding Classes.   We are happy to spread the word not the germ!

Some Flu Awareness Facts:

• The ‘flu’ season is October through May

• Influenza is the medical term for the ‘flu’

• It is a contagious viral infection of the nose and throat that is airborne and spreads through coughing, sneezing, touching and even talking.

• Flu symptoms include; high fever, fatigue, headaches, coughing, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches and pains.

• Flu shots can be provided at your pediatrician/general care doctor, health clinics, retail stores/pharmacies, local hospitals, some employers offer them at their place of work.

• If you receive a ‘flu’ shot, it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become effective.  Flu shots are recommended for individuals 6 months and older.

• Since flu season extends through May it is not too later to receive a flu shot for prevention of this disease.