Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.
Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Between 10-40% of people with confirmed cases, however, did not have fever.
Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. At this time, there has been no increase in the severity of symptoms associated with the virus.
As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu at Grace School. We hope to prevent the spread of the flu by focusing our efforts on education of our community, prevention, and preparation. We want to keep the school open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.
Here are some things you can do to help:
1. Know the signs and symptoms of the flu:
The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever (100 degrees F or greater), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine) flu and some have not had fever.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
2. Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water. You can set a good example by doing this yourself. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
3. Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, water bottles, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Teach your child to cough/sneeze into the elbow, not the hand.
4. Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs AND have not had other symptoms as mentioned above for 24 hrs. Students in the Early Childhood division who are ill with influenza-like symptoms will need to stay at home for at least 5 days. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected. Please notify the School Nurse if your child is ill with influenza-like symptoms or diagnosed with influenza.
5. Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home. Keeping your sick child home protects other students and School staff.
6. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if getting your family vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu is appropriate.
We are working closely with local and state public health departments, as well as the CDC, to monitor flu conditions, best practices, and latest recommendations for schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.
If the flu becomes more severe, we may take additional steps to prevent the spread including, but not limited to:
conducting acive fever and flu symptoms screening of students and staff as they arrive at school,
seperating those who are ill, and making arrangements for them to go home as soon as possible.
Making changes to increase the space between people, such as moving desks farther apart and other social distancing measures, dismissing students from school for at least 7 days if they become sick.
Action Steps for Parents if School is Dismissed or Children are Sick and Must Stay Home (link to PDF)
Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu this School Year (link to PDF)
ActionSteps for Parents of Children at High Risk for Flu Complications (Early Childhood Division and Children with Chronic Medical Conditions) (link to PDF)
Talking With Children About the Flu (link to PDF)
For more information, see the CDC website:
