Flu Activity Remains ‘Widespread’ in Nevada, Schools and Day Care Centers at Risk

March 29, 2012 - PRLog -- LAS VEGAS - (March 29, 2012) Flu activity in Nevada remains widespread, according the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although flu season has been relatively mild across the country, a late-season outbreak is possible. The doctors at Good Night Pediatrics remind parents that schools and day care centers can be a breeding ground for germs year-round. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to keep their kids healthy when they are away from home.


According to the CDC, an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized each year because of flu-related complications. Larry Blumenthal with Good Night Pediatrics says the key to lowering this number is preventing the spread of germs.
“Parents should make sure that their child’s school or day care program routinely cleans frequently touched objects and surfaces,” Blumenthal said. “It’s also important to ensure the facilities have a good supply of soap, paper towels and tissues on site.”
Additional steps parents can take to reduce the spread of germs include:
•   Don’t send children to school or day care if they are sick or have had a fever in the past 24 hours
•   Help young children learn proper hand-washing techniques
•   Teach children to not share drinking glasses or eating utensils
•   Encourage children to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing
•   Ensure everyone in the home (six months and older) is vaccinated against the flu
If your child catches the flu at day care or school, there is no need to wait until the next day to see a pediatrician. Good Night Pediatrics is open nightly from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., giving working families access to quality health care at a convenient time.
About Good Night Pediatrics
Good Night Pediatrics is the Valley’s only all night urgent care clinic for kids.  Open every night from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Good Night Pediatrics provides all night medical care for children, because no child should go to the emergency room unless it’s an emergency.  Good Night Pediatrics is located at 2651 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 101D.  For more information, call 702-939-6800 or visit www.goodnightpeds.com.