CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Independent School District prepares to join surrounding schools by welcoming back their students after a two-week holiday break.
A lead RN for the district's student health services, Tracey Torres, joined faculty and staff prepare for students and all they may bring on Tuesday.
"You know when we are on a two-week break, it's the holidays, people are in close proximity, potential spread of germs," Torres said.
Torres has some advice for those parents and their students headed back to the classroom during flu season.
"Hand washing, number one thing, it's very important," said Torres. "Cover your cough and sneeze, cough into your arm. Hand sanitizer is readily available, and, on our campuses."
According to Torres, historically after winter break they see more of flu cases.
According to Dr. Baggerman, a local pediatrician, the flu isn't the only respiratory illness out there right now.
"Rhinovirus being the most common," said Baggerman. "We've got RSV and covid, adenovirus, enterovirus. There is a big surge in all of those right now", said Dr. Baggerman.
He said, symptoms may vary depending on the virus—from congestion, sore throat, headache or fever—but those symptoms are what you should use to determine whether or not to send your child to school or not.
"It's more symptom dependent than time dependent because sometimes it can run a shorter course and sometimes it can be a little longer," Baggerman said.
In short, if there are present symptoms, there is more of a chance to spread the virus at school.
Both Baggerman and Torres said the best practice for a sick child is to keep them home.
"Keep your child home if their sick, that's how we typically see an uptick in illnesses, when those kids come to school sick," added Torres.
Torres said every CCISD campus is staffed with their own nurse and encourages parents to reach out with any questions.
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