Steps for Flu Prevention
With the recent “Swine Flu” outbreak in the news, we felt this would be a good time to revisit the ways you and your family can protect themselves from the spread of the flu virus. We want to emphasize that there have been no cases to date reported in the East Texas Area. Please teach your children how to stay healthy by promoting good hygiene techniques and share the following suggestions with them.
- Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or by using the bend of the arm when they cough or sneeze—have them throw the tissue away after they use it.
- Wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Remind them to not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way
- Keep your distance by at least 3 feet. If you are near someone who is showing signs of the flu, social distancing will reduce your chance of infection.
- Stay home if you are ill. To help prevent the spread of the flu virus, staying home or keeping your children home when they are sick is the best way o protect them and others.
Know the symptoms! Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and nausea and vomiting.. If you or your child is showing any of these symptoms, please stay at home! Contact your physician about treatment options. Antibiotics will not treat the flu, but there are other medications that can lessen the severity of the flu if given soon enough. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any therapy. For more information, contact your school nurse or the Northeast Texas Public Health District at 903-595-1350 or visit our website at www.healthpreparedness.org.
Below are the latest CDC Recommendations as of May 5, 2009
* School closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case
of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there
is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with
the school's ability to function.
* Schools that were closed based on previous interim CDC guidance
related to this outbreak may reopen.
* Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever
with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or
go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days
even if symptoms resolve sooner.
* Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7 days after they
become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24
hours after symptoms have resolved.
* Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an influenza-like
illness at arrival or become ill during the school day should be
isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.
* Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children,
and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of
influenza-like illness.
* Ill students should not attend alternative child care or
congregate in settings other than school.
* School administrators should communicate regularly with local
public health officials to obtain guidance about reporting of
influenza-like illnesses in the school.
* Schools can help serve as a focus for educational activities
aimed at promoting ways to reduce the spread of influenza, including
hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
* Students, faculty and staff should stringently follow sanitary
measures to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their
nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or
sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn't available), frequently
washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand
washing with soap and water is not possible.
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