September 4, 2009

Preparing for flu season

As flu season approaches, …. School District fully anticipates that some of our students and staff will contract seasonal flu and/or H1N1 flu (the novel flu virus discovered last spring).

At this time, the H1N1 flu virus appears to be no more severe -- and no less severe -- than the seasonal flu. State health officials are recommending that we treat H1N1 much as we treat seasonal flu. Students at high-risk (eg., those with chronic illnesses such as asthma) should consult a physician for specific guidance.

Common-sense hygiene practices can go a long way to prevent the spread of flu illnesses. To that end, we ask parents to:

• Keep children who exhibit flu-like symptoms (fever of 100 degrees or more with cough or sore throat) home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Teach children to cover their nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze in their sleeve.
• Teach children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, or to use hand sanitizer if soap/water is not available.
• Look for opportunities to have children vaccinated.

Finally, the district does not plan to notify families every time a student or staff member is sick with H1N1. Since that is not our practice with seasonal flu, it will not be our practice with H1N1.

Based on the timing and severity of a potential flu outbreak, these guidelines could change. If things do change, we will do our best to notify the school community as quickly as possible.

Dr. Knudson