Cases of the H1N1 flu are continuing to occur both in the United States and worldwide throughout the summer and fall months, when seasonal flu cases of any type are usually rare. This has school officials including administrators, teachers, and staff wondering how to handle cases and potential outbreaks in their schools, throughout the year.
Many parents and students also share concerns over flu outbreaks in school settings. Here are two important questions to be asked:
What can people do to help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu?
What should parents do to prepare for the flu during the 2009-2010 school year?
What can people do to help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu?
The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. In addition, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
A vaccine for the H1N1 flu is currently available, check with local health officials or your doctor for availability in your area. It is recommended that the following groups are vaccinated first.
Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Others not in these groups are also urged by the CDC to get the vaccine if available; officials do expect there will be enough vaccine for those who want to be vaccinated
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
What should parents do to prepare for the flu during the 2009-2010 school year?
Plan for child care at home if your child gets sick or their school is dismissed.
Plan to monitor the health of the sick child and any other children in the household by checking for fever and other symptoms of flu.
Identify if you have children who are at higher risk of serious disease from the flu and talk to your healthcare provider about a plan to protect them during the flu season. Children at high risk of serious disease from the flu include: children under 5 years of age and those children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes.
Identify a separate room in the house for the care of sick family members.
Update emergency contact lists.
Collect games, books, DVDs and other items to keep your family entertained if schools are dismissed or your child is sick and must stay home.
Talk to your school administrators about their pandemic or emergency plan to handle potential cases of H1N1 flu.