MNPS Issues Reminders After School Of The Arts Flu Outbreak

NASHVILLE, TN -- A "large number" of students at Nashville School of the Arts are out with the flu and Metro Nashville Public Schools officials are reminding parents of the district's sick policy in an effort to hem in the outbreak.

Metro parents are being reminded to keep their children home if they have a temperature above 100 degrees, diarrhea, vomiting or a rash covering their entire body. Students with these symptoms should remain out of school until they go 24 hours without symptoms.

Any student with strep throat must be on antibiotics for 24 hours and have a temperature below 100 degrees without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning.

Students with chicken pox, mumps, measles, rashes all over their body or strep throat must stay home until they are cleared by a medical professional to return to school.

Parents are asked to share these tips with their children:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
• Cough into your arm
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze
• If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand rub may be used
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth - germs spread that way
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people

Image via Metro Nashville Public Schools