Back-to-School Flu Prevention for Lake County Students
8/18/2009 - Lake County students will return to public schools the week of August 25. This year is marked by concerns about the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus, initially known as the “swine flu.” Steps are being taken to limit the spread of infection among students and to keep schools open.
Although school settings are recognized as places where respiratory illness can spread, they also provide opportunities to teach students good infection control practices. Knowing that anticipated severity of the ongoing influenza pandemic as we enter fall is still unknown, public health and school officials hope to keep schools in session. Although the Novel H1N1 virus has impacted younger age groups more than the usual
seasonal form of influenza, the majority of illness has been mild so far. This year, both seasonal and the novel pandemic strains of influenza are expected to circulate at the same time. Lake County Health Officer, Dr. Karen Tait, hopes to keep school routines as normal as possible for students and their families. “With appropriate precautions, children can safely attend school,” says Dr. Tait, noting that less structured settings, such as informal childcare arrangements may actually offer fewer protections.
Lake County Public Health and Lake County Office of Education have been
working together over several months to identify ways to teach students proper hand washing practices and how to cover coughs and sneezes. Procedures to sanitize desk surfaces, door knobs and other frequently touched items are recommended.
A vaccine against the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus is under development and expected to be available this fall, but not until after school is in session. The Novel Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine may require two doses spaced a few weeks apart and will be given in addition to the vaccine for seasonal flu. As more information becomes available, further instructions will be released about vaccination opportunities.
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) spreads the same way as seasonal flu, mainly through coughing or sneezing by infected people. The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of regular seasonal flu.
Information to parents includes the following:
- Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-
based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself. - Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100
degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea. - Children or family members at high risk for complications of the flu, including pregnant women, those with asthma, diabetes, compromised immune systems or neuromuscular diseases should call their health care provider as soon as possible if they become ill to determine if treatment with antiviral medications is needed.
- Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever without using fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol ® or Advil®. It is
preferable, and may be required in some circumstances, to keep them home 7 days after the onset of illness and free of fever for 24 hours, whichever is longer. - Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.
- Vaccinate your child for both the seasonal flu and Novel Influenza A (H1N1) when the vaccine becomes available this fall.
For more information contact:
Karen Tait, M.D., Health Officer: 707-263-1090
David Geck, County Superintendent of Schools: 707-262-4102