Influenza Resources

Messages from PGCPS

• Letter from the Superintendent: Help Us Prevent Flu Spread in Schools

FAQs, Signs and Symptoms, Prevention and Clinics

• PGCPS Flu Prevention & Safety FAQ
• Healthy Habits to Prevent Flu (CDC)
• Signs and Symptoms, Prevention and Immunization Clinics (Prince George's County Health Department)
• When to Keep Your Child Home From School

Status of Influenza Outbreak in Prince George’s County Public Schools

• Maryland FluWatch data dashboard
• CDC Data on Influenza

 Community Health Resources

• La Clínica del Pueblo (Hyattsville)
  https://www.lcdp.org
  240-714-5247
• Mary’s Center (Adelphi)
  https://www.maryscenter.org/contact-and-locations/adelphi-md/
  Appointment Line: (844)796-2797
  Clinic Direct Line: (301)422-5911
• CCI Health & Wellness Services(Greenbelt)
  240-762-9426
  https://cciweb.org (https://cciweb.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=74%3Afrp&catid=28&Itemid=167)

• Greater Baden (Brandywine)
  https://gbms.org
  301-888-2233

PGCPS Flu Prevention & Safety FAQ

What is PGCPS doing in response to the rise in flu cases?

PGCPS is taking immediate action to reduce flu transmission and keep students and staff safe, including:

• Vaccination Clinics – Partnering with the Prince George’s County Health Department to provide flu vaccines in high-case school communities. The first clinic is Wednesday, March 12.
• Enhanced Cleaning – Increasing disinfection of high-touch areas in schools and buses.
• Hand Hygiene – Ensuring soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer are available, with reminders on proper handwashing.
• Temporary Masking – If flu cases are high in a school, temporary masking may be required.
• Limiting Exposure – Keeping students in consistent groups to contain spread where possible.
• Extracurricular Adjustments – Modifying or postponing high-contact activities and large gatherings if needed.
• Ongoing Monitoring – Tracking illness reports, updating families regularly, and working with health officials to respond appropriately.

Where can families get flu vaccinations?

Families can schedule flu shots at:

• The Prince George’s County Health Department in Cheverly (Monday–Friday).
• Their healthcare provider or community vaccination partners.
• Select PGCPS school-based clinics in high-case areas (families will be notified directly if their school is included).

What should parents do if their child has the flu?

• Report flu cases to the school – This helps us track cases and respond effectively.
• Keep sick students at home – This prevents spreading the illness to others.
• Follow healthcare provider guidance on treatment and recovery.

How is PGCPS keeping school buses clean?

• Daily bus cleaning includes sweeping, trash removal, and preparation for the next route.
• Monthly deep cleanings ensure buses remain sanitary for students.

Will extracurricular activities be affected?

If a school experiences a significant rise in flu cases, certain activities may be modified or postponed to limit spread. PGCPS will communicate any changes in advance.

How can families help prevent the spread of flu?

• Encourage flu vaccinations for children and family members.
• Teach good hand washing habits – at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Remind children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow.
• Keep sick children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

What is the Flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

How Flu Spreads

The flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Signs and Symptoms

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that usually start suddenly, not gradually:

• Fever or Feeling Feverish/Chills (not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Muscle or Body Aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Vomiting and Diarrhea (more common in young children than in adults)

Periods of Contagiousness

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Although people with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins, some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.

How to Prevent Flu

• Get your flu shot - the flu vaccine can help prevent the flu or lesson your symptoms if you become ill
• Cover your cough and sneeze - this reduces the chance of spreading the virus to others
• Avoid or limit contact with people who are sick with the flu
• Stay home if you are sick - you should stay home until at least 24 hours after you are fever free without the use of medications to reduce your fever
• Wash your hands frequently ( if soap and water not available, use hand sanitizer)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth - this lesson the possibility of the virus entering your body through mucous membranes
• Clean high touch or shared surfaces/equipment/objects frequently - surfaces and objects can be contaminated with the flu virus and spread to you if you touch it and then your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Flu Shots

The Prince George’s County Health Department offers Flu shots for county residents. Those with insurance are encouraged to get their vaccinations through their primary care provider or a local pharmacy.

Flu Clinics

The Health Department's community clinics are open to ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS. No appointments required. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Injectable flu vaccine will be available to anyone age 6 months and older.

Permanent Clinics

Resources

For more information regarding flu prevention and updates visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)