School Information

Educators and staff can help slow the spread of colds and flu. On this page, you will find more information on preventing the flu, as well as materials and tools for schools.

Always remind children to:

  • Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze—have them throw the tissue away after they use it.
  • Wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
  • Remind them to not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.

Fast Facts

  • Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools. (U.S. Dept of Ed, 1999).
  • Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. (Ansari, 1988; Scott and Bloomfield, 1989)
  • Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone. (CDC, 1996)
  • Addressing the spread of germs in schools is essential to the health of our youth, our schools, and our nation.
  • Students need to get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water, and eat good food to help them stay healthy in the winter and all year.

More Information

School Materials and Posters

Cover Your Cough Materials

Visit the Cover Your Cough website for posters and flyers.

 

 

 

 

"It's a SNAP" Toolkit

It's a Snap program logo

Program materials to help prevent school absenteeism.
Activities for school administrators, teachers, students and others can do to help stop the spread of germs in schools.  See the handcleaning section of the "It's a SNAP" site at www.itsasnap.orgExternal Web Site Icon.

 

Scrub Club

Scrub Club logo

Kids can learn about health and hygiene and become members of the Scrub Club(tm) at www.scrubclub.orgExternal Web Site Icon. The site features a fun and educational animated Webisode with seven "soaper-heros" who battle nasty villains who represent germs and bacteria. Kids learn the six key steps to proper handwashing through a webisode, handwashing song, interactive games, activities for kids and educational materials for teachers are also available to download.

Find a Flu Vaccine Near You