H1N1 and Flu Information



Dear Parent/Guardian: As we continue to fight the spread of H1N1 flu in our community and schools, we have received questions about cleaning efforts. Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people infected with flu. However, people can sometimes get flu if they touch hard surfaces and objects such as keyboards, telephones and doorknobs that an infected person recently touched and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided technical guidance on cleaning in schools. CDC does not believe any additional disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond the recommended routine cleaning is required. Special cleaning with bleach and other special cleaners is not necessary since flu virus can only survive on environmental surfaces for 2-8 hours. Therefore, our school staff will routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with cleaners they typically use. During routine cleaning, we will pay special attention to areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (for example, door knobs, keyboards or desks) and also clean these areas immediately when visibly soiled. *CDC clarified that environmental cleaning should not be the primary focus of flu prevention activities.* There are other important ways to prevent the spread of flu. *Students, facutly and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of flu, 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 As always the most significant way to prevent the spread of flu is for sick students and staff to stay home. This is to keep from infecting others. Hamilton County Public Health advises sick individuals should remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Thank You List of important links Letter to Parents/Guardians, Click here to read the letter Consent Form to Give H1N1 Vaccine, Click here for consent form NOTICE: Please complete this form even if you do not give permission and return no later than Friday, Oct. 9. Notice of Privacy, Click here for the Notice of Privacy Frequently asked Questions, Click here for list of FAQ's What You Need to Know, Click here for H1N1 information PARENTAL GUIDELINES FROM HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH CONCERNING ‘H1N1’ OR ANY INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS If child has any influenza symptoms: Fever – Temperature of 100˚ or above without medication Cough Sore Throat Child should be kept home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours. Temperature should be taken morning and evening. Family Members: Siblings of students with the flu should attend school only if they are not exhibiting any of the influenza symptoms or if they are not running a temperature of 100˚ or above. A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE If someone in your home develops flu symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches): Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important. For individuals with fever, sore throat and muscle aches, use Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen as indicated on the label or by a health care provider. Do not use aspirin in children or teenagers: It can cause Reye’s Syndrome, a life-threatening illness. Sponging with lukewarm (wrist-temperature) water lowers fever only during the period of sponging. Do not sponge with alcohol or ice water. Keep tissues and a trash bag for their disposal within reach of the patient. All members of the household should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at least 60% alcohol). Keep other family members and visitors away from the person who is ill. Remember to contact your health care provider for advice. If the ill person is having difficulty breathing or is getting worse, contact your health care provider immediately. Common Symptoms of the Flu According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms: Fever higher than 100˚ Headache Running or stuffy nose Body aches Fatigue Cough Sore throat Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults These recommendations were obtained from the Ohio Department of Health/Ohio Department of Education School Closure Guidance Department.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As we continue to fight the spread of H1N1 flu in our community and schools, we have received questions about cleaning efforts. Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people infected with flu. However, people can sometimes get flu if they touch hard surfaces and objects such as keyboards, telephones and doorknobs that an infected person recently touched and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided technical guidance on cleaning in schools. CDC does not believe any additional disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond the recommended routine cleaning is required. Special cleaning with bleach and other special cleaners is not necessary since flu virus can only survive on environmental surfaces for 2-8 hours. Therefore, our school staff will routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with cleaners they typically use. During routine cleaning, we will pay special attention to areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (for example, door knobs, keyboards or desks) and also clean these areas immediately when visibly soiled.

CDC clarified that environmental cleaning should not be the primary focus of flu prevention activities. There are other important ways to prevent the spread of flu.

Students, facutly and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of flu, 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

As always the most significant way to prevent the spread of flu is for sick students and staff to stay home. This is to keep from infecting others. Hamilton County Public Health advises sick individuals should remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Thank You

List of important links

Letter to Parents/Guardians, Click here to read the letter

Consent Form to Give H1N1 Vaccine, Click here for consent form
NOTICE: Please complete this form even if you do not give permission and return no later than Friday, Oct. 9.

Notice of Privacy, Click here for the Notice of Privacy

Frequently asked Questions, Click here for list of FAQ's

What You Need to Know, Click here for H1N1 information

PARENTAL GUIDELINES FROM HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
CONCERNING ‘H1N1’ OR ANY INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS

If child has any influenza symptoms:

Fever – Temperature of 100˚ or above without medication
Cough
Sore Throat

Child should be kept home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours. Temperature should be taken morning and evening.

Family Members: Siblings of students with the flu should attend school only if they are not exhibiting any of the influenza symptoms or if they are not running a temperature of 100˚ or above.

A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

h1n1 If someone in your home develops flu symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches):

Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids.
Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important.
For individuals with fever, sore throat and muscle aches, use Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen as indicated on the label or by a health care provider.
Do not use aspirin in children or teenagers: It can cause Reye’s Syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
Sponging with lukewarm (wrist-temperature) water lowers fever only during the period of sponging. Do not sponge with alcohol or ice water.
Keep tissues and a trash bag for their disposal within reach of the patient.
All members of the household should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at least 60% alcohol).
Keep other family members and visitors away from the person who is ill.

Remember to contact your health care provider for advice. If the ill person is having difficulty breathing or is getting worse, contact your health care provider immediately.

Common Symptoms of the Flu

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:

Fever higher than 100˚
Headache
Running or stuffy nose
Body aches
Fatigue
Cough
Sore throat
Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults

These recommendations were obtained from the Ohio Department of Health/Ohio Department of Education School Closure Guidance Department.

List of important links

PARENTAL GUIDELINES FROM HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH CONCERNING ‘H1N1’ OR ANY INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS

A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

PARENTAL GUIDELINES FROM HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
CONCERNING ‘H1N1’ OR ANY INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS