Do you have a school plan regarding H1N1?

99% of all flu right now is H1N1. The seasonal flu season has not started yet.

You can find advice for schools linked on the National Association of School Nurses home page: http://www.nasn.org

There is no reason to close unless you do not have enough kids or staff to hold classes.

Thanks for your reply. Our parents are going absolutely birzirk over the flu. I am actually getting angry calls asking me what we are going to do and why haven't we done anything will all of our positive cases of flu! I'm trying to assure them that we are doing all we can at this point and there is no reason to close our school as of yet. It seems to not be enough for them. We are stressing the importance of proper hygiene and staying home if sick. Seems like no matter how much we educate them they are still demanding some kind of further action. I'm getting so aggrivated!

I am a college student our nurse sent out the H1N1 plan to all of us students it read as follows (I bloted out my schools name thus the underscores)

The H1N1 virus has reached worldwide pandemic status. ___will be implementing the following guidelines consistent with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the American College Health Association. We have provided this summary of information to assist ___students, parents, faculty, and staff.

The H1N1 virus causes similar symptoms as the seasonal flu and includes fever (100o or greater), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The combination of these symptoms are also known as ―influenza-like illnesses‖ (ILI). The contagious period for influenza begins one day before symptoms begin and continues until there is no fever for 24 hours (without the assistance of fever-reducing medication). The flu virus is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air that others breathe. Sometimes people can be infected by touching contaminated objects and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

A strong reoccurrence of H1N1 is forecast for this fall and winter, and the early start of the flu season is one indication of that. People who live in close proximity to many others –like college students in group living situations—may be at increased risk for H1N1. Health officials are not conducting lab tests to confirm cases of H1N1 unless an underlying chronic illness or other pre-existing health concern dictates the need for a test. The recommendation is that all influenza like illnesses be treated in the same manner.

Please remember that this information continues to evolve, it changes frequently, and what is written today may be updated tomorrow!

PREVENTION OF H1N1

___is recommending the following precautions to reduce the spread of H1N1 on our campus:

Everyone is encouraged to practice good hand washing, cough into the crook of their sleeve, frequently wipe off shared work surfaces, and do not share food or drinks. Informational posters will be displayed on-campus. Facilities will keep hand-washing facilities well stocked with soap and paper towels. Mobile hand sanitizers have been ordered and will be placed in high traffic areas Resident Assistants have digital thermometers with disposable covers Health Center’s Health Services is available for consultation and treatment Anyone with influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms is to self isolate until fever is gone for 24 hours without the assistance of fever reducing medications.