H1N1, What you can do and What the district will do

The flu season is upon us and it is important to be aware of the symptoms and precautions that can be taken to try and help contain it.  We have already experienced students with the seasonal flu and area districts have experienced the H1N1.  Following are some questions and answers about the flu.

Q. What is the difference between the seasonal flu and H1N1?

The seasonal flu and Novel Influenza A (H1N1) are varied by a different subtype in the strain.  The 2009 H1N1 strain has never before circulated among humans.  The symptoms of the seasonal and/or H1N1 can both be mild to severe.

Q. How do I know if I have the seasonal flu or H1N1?

A doctor is the only person that can determine which flu may have been contracted.

Q. What are the signs of the flu?

They include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.   These symptoms may be more severe with the H1N1 strain.

Q. What are the danger signs?

Watch for emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention. These warning signs include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing                                 Bluish or gray skin color

Not drinking enough fluids                                                Not urinating or no tears when crying

Severe or persistent vomiting                                           Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen            Sudden dizziness          Confusion

Q. What is the best possible way to try to prevent getting the flu?

Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.  Be sure that everyone routinely washes their hands with soap and water for approximately 20 seconds, about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner with at least 60% alcohol, cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available), and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Germs spread that way.  And if you know someone has the flu, keep contact minimal, if at all.

Q. If someone in my family gets the flu, when can they return to school or work?

Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or sign of a fever, without taking fever reducing medicine.  They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs. 

Q. What is the school district doing to help prevent the spread of the flu?

Teachers are continuously reviewing proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette with the students.  The nursing staff and office personnel are monitoring reported illnesses.  If a student appears to have the flu, parents are contacted to come and get the student.  Even though the schools are cleaned regularly, certain areas are being cleaned multiple times throughout the day.  The school district is making every effort to be proactive toward prevention.

Q. What if a large number of students get sick with the flu at the same time?

The district and health department are working together.  The Center for Disease Control has encouraged schools to remain open if possible.  The school district will determine if the absence rate is high enough to dismiss school.  If school is dismissed, parents will be notified through the automatic messaging service and/or a note will be sent home with students. 

Q. If school is closed due to the flu, what educational opportunities will be available?

Notification of the different educational opportunities will be done via internet and/or phone.  The district website will have information pertaining to educational work to be done during the dismissal time.  Individual buildings and teachers will handle the situation differently, depending upon the level and type of work. 

For more information about the flu, go to www.flu.gov