By Amanda Collins

School officials cautioned parents to keep sick youngsters at home, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes the flu is considered widespread in Virginia.

Schools Superintendent Bill Sroufe on Friday sent a message to parents about confirmed flu cases and other viral illnesses. The schools encourage hand-washing and using proper etiquette, such as covering your mouth when coughing.

They also recommended the use of soap and water and hand sanitizer to help cut back on spreading germs. School custodial staff also clean contact areas in every building using a product called H2Orange2, which sanitizes in five minutes.

Parents and guardians are asked to continue to monitor their children for illness and if they have a temperature of 100 or more to keep students home until they are fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medicine.

When a child misses classes due to illness, parents and guardians are asked to include the symptoms in hopes of helping the school nurse monitor illnesses.

To help minimize your chance of getting the flu, the CDC recommends avoiding contact with those who are ill, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.