Dear Individuals, Families and Caregivers:
As you may be aware by recent news reports, both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control expects the illness caused by the H1N1 virus or swine flu to continue into the fall. In an effort to protect the safety and well-being of the individuals participating in Maryland Community Connection programs, we have compiled some general information and developed the plan listed below for immediate implementation.
Information about H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Various county health departments are expecting to receive the H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine this fall. The delivery dates are currently unknown. Many plan to provide H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine during planned seasonal flu mass immunization clinics if available. Local health care providers are also planning to make this vaccine available to their clients.
Signs & Symptoms of H1N1 (Swine) Flu
The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
How Swine Flu Is Spread
The H1N1 (Swine) Flu virus is spread the same way seasonal flu spreads. These flu viruses are spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing by people infected with flu, sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Some viruses can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like tables, desk, phones and doorknobs.
How to Prevent Getting H1N1 (Swine) Flu
These actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illness including influenza. Take these everyday preventive steps to avoid illness:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- The CDC recommends, if you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever- reducing medicine.) Also, limit your contact with others to avoid infecting them.
What to Do If You Suspect You Have H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Treatment for H1N1 (Swine) flu is just like seasonal flu:
Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Eat light foods.
- Use medications only as directed.
For more information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 4 main ways you and your family may keep from getting sick with the flu at school and at home:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.
- Stay home if you or your child is sick for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at home means that they keep their viruses to themselves rather than sharing them with others.
- Get your family vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines are available.
If flu conditions become MORE severe, parents should consider the following steps:
- Extend the time sick children stay home for at least 7 days, even if they feel better sooner. People who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have completely gone away.
- If a household member is sick, keep any school-aged brothers or sisters home for 5 days from the time the household member became sick. Parents should monitor their health and the health of other school-aged children for fever and other symptoms of the flu.
Our number one priority is the health and well-being of our individuals served and staff. Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter.
