H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information
August 27, 2009 by Donna McLachlan, Administrative Assistant
Filed under News
Dear Parents,
This letter will provide you with information about the H1-N1 virus aka swine flu. Public health officials tell us that this virus is transmitted by person to person contact, like coughs and sneezes.
The federal government is currently working to develop a vaccine for the H1N1 influenza virus and the CDC recommends that children between 6 months and 18 years of age receive the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in mid-October and children will likely need two doses of the vaccine, either a shot or nasal spray, spaced about three weeks apart. Because this is a new strain, seasonal flu shots do not protect people, so good hygiene is important to help prevent the spread of germs. The influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Put used tissues in the trash.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• People cannot get swine flu from pork or pork products.
How long should a sick student or staff member be kept home?
The CDC recommends that in the current flu conditions, students and staff with symptons of flu should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or do not feel feverish, without using fever-reducing drugs. If the flu conditions become more severe, the CDC recommends that a sick person stay home for 7 days. A person who is still sick after 7 days should stay home until 24 hours after the symptoms have gone away. In addition, this longer period should be used in healthcare settings and in any place where a high number of high-risk people may be exposed, such as childcare facilities for children less than 5 years of age.
Sick people should stay at home, except to go to the doctor’s office, and should avoid contact with others.
If you suspect your child has influenza, call your pediatrician. Antiviral medication, if taken soon after infection, can shorten the duration of the illness. These medications are effective against swine flue.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
For Parents:
- 2009 H1N1 & Seasonal Flu
- Talking to Children About H1N1
- Take 3 to Fight the Flu
- School Flu Guidelines
- ISBE – H1N1 School Parent Letter
- Seasonal & H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents
- Facts About Swine Flu (CDC)
- The CDC updates its page on swine flu daily at 3 p.m. (eastern) during the course of the outbreak
- Traveler’s Health Precautions (CDC)
For Child Care Programs and Schools:
• Preventing the Flu – Strategies and Resources for Child Care Providers and Out-of-Home Caregivers
• Outbreaks, Epidemics and Other Infectious Disease Emergencies, an excerpt of “Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, 2nd Edition” (Copyright ©2009 American Academy of Pediatrics). To order a copy of this book visit the AAP Bookstore.
• Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School (CDC)
• Pandemicflu.gov
Please contact your school nurse or building principal with any questions.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Jon Lamberson
Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Geanna Chapp
Nurse Team Leader
Resources
Preventing Swine Flu – Good Health Habits