H1N1 Swine Flu Update
-Dr. David Allen, District
Psychologist
Although a
complex disease, I would like to make some simple comments about what is
commonly called H1N1 “ The Swine Flu.”
School-age children appear to be highly susceptible to this flu.
However a large majority of ill children have recovered without requiring
medical treatment. Under the direction of local medical and emergency management
experts, Indiana Area School District is monitoring the constant flow of H1N1
information. In other words, we are
staying up to date and planning both prevention and intervention strategies.
At the end of
the 2008/2009 school year, there were a number of highly publicized school
closings. New guidance from all of
the health experts is that schools should not close because of a few cases of
students with H1N1. Children who
have the flu are usually excluded from school for three to five days.
The fever duration is generally two to four days and 24 hours after the
resolution of the fever, without fever-reducing medication, the children can
return to school. Parental
cooperation is essential to the prevention and spread of the H1N1 virus.
Please take a few moments to “Talking To Children About Swine Flu (H1N1): A Parent Resource.” (PDF) Additional resources can found at the following links.
National Association of School Nurses
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Finally, I
cannot emphasize enough the importance of consulting with our school nurses when
you have questions or concerns about your child’s physical health.
We trust their judgment in helping you to make decisions on school
attendance when your child is showing symptoms of illness.
Although always concerned about sick children attending school, we are
going to be extremely vigilant this year when it comes to the spread of the H1N1
virus.
Following are "Top 10 Tips for Preventing the Spread of Flu"*:
1. Keep your child home from school or day care when he or she is sick.
2. Allow your child to return to school only when fever-free for at least 24 hours (no longer having a fever without use of fever-reducing medicines.)
3. Cover your cough. Cough into your upper sleeve or into a tissue and discard properly.
4. Properly dispose of used tissues and other soiled items, and wash your hands after doing so.
5. Wash hands frequently and regularly, or use hand sanitizers when water is not readily available.
6. Regularly clean and disinfect areas and items likely to have frequent hand contact.
7. Contact your health care provider when your child or other family member is sick with the flu (symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache and body aches).
8. If you are not able to stay home with your child, plan ahead for how he or she will be taken care of when sick at home or if school is closed.
9. Have your child vaccinated against the flu every year.
10. Stay informed through www.health.state.pa.us, www.cdc.gov, or www.flu.gov
For questions, call 1-877-PA-HEALTH
*Pennsylvania Department of Health