H1 N1 Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu this School Year

Transcription

1 H1 N1 Actin Steps fr Parents t Prtect Yur Child and Family frm the Flu this Schl Year ANNEX A rs #9-13 Page 1 The Centers fr Disease Cntrl and Preventin (CDC) recmmends 4 main ways yu and yur family may keep frm getting sick with the flu at schl and at hme: 1. Practice gd hand hygiene by washing yur hands ften with sap and water, especially after cughing r sneezing. Alchl-based hand cleaners are als effective. 2. Cver yur muth and nse with a tissue when yu cugh r sneeze. If yu dn't have a tissue, cugh r sneeze int yur elbw r shulder; nt int yur hands. 3. Stay hme if yu r yur child is sick fr at least 24 hurs after there is n lnger a fever r signs f a fever (withut the use f fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at hme means that they keep their viruses t themselves rather than sharing them with thers. 4. Get yur family vaccinated fr seasnal flu and 2009 H1Nl flu when vaccines are available. If flu cnditins becme MORE severe, parents shuld cnsider the fllwing steps: Extend the time sick children stay hme fr at least 7 days, even if they feel better sner. Peple wh are still sick after 7 days shuld cntinue t stay hme until at least 24 hurs after symptms have cmpletely gne away. If a husehld member is sick, keep any schl-aged brthers r sisters hme fr 5 days frm the time the husehld member became sick. Parents shuld mnitr their health and the health f ther schl-aged children fr fever and ther symptms f the flu. Fllw these steps t prepare fr the flu during the schl year: Plan fr child care at hme if yur child gets sick r their schl is dismissed. Plan t mnitr the health f the sick child and any ther children in the husehld by checking fr fever and ther symptms f flu. Identify if yu have children wh are at higher risk f serius disease frm the flu and talk t yur healthcare prvider abut a plan t prtect them during the flu seasn. Children at high risk f serius disease frm the flu include: children under 5 years f age and thse children with chrnic medical cnditins, such as asthma and diabetes. Identify a separate rm in the huse fr the care f sick family members. Update emergency cntact lists. Cllect games, bks, DVDs and ther items t keep yur family entertained if schls are dismissed r yur child is sick and must stay hme. Talk t yur schl administratrs abut their pandemic r emergency plan. Fr mre infrmatin: Visit: Cntact CDC 24 Hurs/Every Day CDC-INFO ( ) TIY: (888) cdcinf@cdc.gv

2 ANNEXA rs #9-13 Page 2 Actin Steps fr Parents if Schl is Dismissed r Children are Sick and Must Stay Hme Be prepared t supprt hme learning activities if the schl makes them available. Yur child's schl may ffer web-based lessns, instructinal phne calls, and ther types f distance learning. Have schl materials, such as text bks, wrkbks, and hmewrk packets available at hme. Have activities fr yur children t d while at hme. Pull tgether games, bks, DVDs and ther items t keep yur family entertained. Find ut if yur emplyer will allw yu t stay at hme t care fr sick husehld members r children dismissed frm schl. Ask if yu can wrk frm hme. If this is nt pssible, find ther ways t care fr yur children at hme. If schl is dismissed, mnitr the schl's website, lcal news, and ther surces fr infrmatin abut returning t schl. Tips fr taking care f children (and ther husehld members) with the flu Stay hme if yu r yur child is sick until at least 24 hurs after there is n lnger a fever r signs f a fever (withut the use f a fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at hme means that they keep their viruses t themselves rather than sharing them with thers. Stay hme even if taking antiviral medicines. Cver cughs and sneezes. Clean hands with sap and water r an alchl-based hand rub ften and especially after cughing r sneezing. Keep sick husehld members in a separate rm (a sick rm) in the huse as much as pssible t limit cntact with husehld members wh are nt sick. Cnsider designating a single persn as the main caregiver fr the sick persn. Mnitr the health f the sick child and any ther husehld members by checking fr fever and ther symptms f flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermmeter that is equal t r greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). If yu are nt able t measure a temperature, the sick persn might have a fever if he r she feels warm, has a flushed appearance, r is sweating r shivering. Watch fr emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attentin. These warning signs include: Fast breathing r truble breathing Bluish r gray skin clr Nt drinking enugh fluids Nt urinating r n tears when crying Severe r persistent vmiting Nt waking up r nt interacting Being s irritable that the child des nt want t be held Pain r pressure in the chest r abdmen Sudden dizziness Cnfusin Flu-like symptms imprve but then return with fever and wrse cugh

3 ANNEX A rs #9-13 Page 3 Check with yur dctr abut any special care needed fr husehld members wh may be at higher risk fr cmplicatins frm flu. This includes children under the age f 5 years, pregnant wmen, peple f any age wh have chrnic medical cnditins (such as asthma, diabetes, r heart disease), and peple age 65 years and lder. Have the sick husehld member wear a facemask - if available and tlerable - when sharing cmmn spaces with ther husehld members t help prevent spreading the virus t thers. This is especially imprtant if ther husehld members are at high risk fr cmplicatins frm flu. Ask yur dctr abut antiviral medicines r fever-reducing medicines fr sick husehld members. D nt give aspirin t children r teenagers; it can cause a rare but serius illness called Reye's syndrme Make sure sick husehld members get plenty f rest and drink clear fluids (such as water, brth, sprts drinks, electrlyte beverages fr infants) t keep frm being dehydrated. If yur health department says that flu cnditins have becme mre severe Extend the time sick children stay hme fr at least 7 days, even if they feel better sner. Peple wh are still sick after 7 days shuld cntinue t stay hme until at least 24 hurs after symptms have gne away. If a husehld member is sick, keep any schl-aged brthers r sisters hme fr 5 days frm the time the husehld member became sick. Parents shuld mnitr their health and the health f ther schl-aged children fr fever and ther symptms f the flu. Fr mre infrmatin: Visit: Cntact CDC 24 Hurs/Every Day CDC-INFO ( ) TIY: (888) cdcinf@cdc.gv

4 ANNEXA rs #9-13 Page 4 Date: Dear Parent/Guardian: As yu may knw, flu can be easily spread frm persn t persn. Therefre, we are taking steps t reduce the spread f flu in the Wrcester Public Schls. We want t keep the schls pen t students and functining in a nrmal manner during this flu seasn. But, we need yur help t d this. Fr nw, we are ding everything we can t keep ur schls functining as usual. Here are a few things yu can d t help. Teach yur children t wash their hands ften with sap and water r an alchl-based hand rub. Yu can set a gd example by ding this yurself. Teach yur children nt t share persnal items like drinks, fd r unwashed utensils, and t cver their cughs and sneezes with tissues. Cvering up their cughs r sneezes using the elbw, arm r sleeve instead f the hand when a tissue is unavailable. Knw the signs and symptms f the flu. Symptms f the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius r greater), cugh, sre thrat, a runny r stuffy nse, bdy aches, headache and feeling very tired. Sme peple may als vmit r have diarrhea. Keep sick children at hme fr at least 24 hurs after they n lnger have a fever r d nt have signs f fever, withut using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at hme will reduce the number f peple wh may get infected. D nt send children t schl if they are sick. Any children wh are determined t be sick while at schl will be sent hme. If the flu becmes mre severe, we may take additinal steps t prevent the spread such as: cnducting active fever and flu symptm screening f students and staff as they arrive at schl, making changes t increase the space between peple such as mving desks farther apart and pstpning class trips, and dismissing students frm schl fr at least 7 days if they becme sick. Sincerely Principal The Wrcester Public Schls is an Equal OppOrtunity/Affirmative Actin Emplyer/Educatinal Institutin and des nt discriminate regardless f race, clr, gender, age, religin, natinal rigin, marital status, sexual rientatin, disability, r hmelessness. The Wrcester Public Schls prvides equal access t emplyment and the full range f general, ccupatinal and vcatinal educatin prgrams. Fr mre infrmatin relating t Equal Opprtunity/Affirmative Actin cntact Stacey DeBise Luster, Human Resurce Manager, 20 Irving Street, Wrcester, MA Please call the main ffice at the schl if yu wuld like this dcument translated int a language ther than English. Pr favr, cntate a secretaria central da escla cas deseje que este dcument seja traduzid para 0 prtugues. Pr favr, liame a la ficina central de la escuela si usted desea que este dcument sea traducid al espal'lol. Ju lutem telefnni zyren qendrre te shklles ne se deshirni ta kini kete dkument te perkthyer ne nje gjuhe tjeter pervec Anglishtes Xin g<;>i di~n th;!i ch van phng nha tru'ang neu quy vi mu6n tai Ii~u nay du'~ dich ra mqt ngn ngu khac hdn tieng Anh

5 ANNEXA ras #9-13 Page 5 Take the fllwing steps t help keep students, teachers, and staff frm getting sick with flu. These steps shuld be fllwed ALL the time and nt nly during a flu pandemic. Educate and encurage students and staff t cver their muth and nse with a tissue when they cugh r sneeze. Als, prvide them with easy access t tissues and running water and sap r alchl-based hand cleaners. Remind them t cver cughs r sneezes using their elbw instead f their hand when a tissue is nt available. Remind teachers, staff, and students t practice gd hand hygiene and prvide the time and supplies fr them t wash their hands as ften as necessary. Send sick students, teachers, and staff hme and advise them and their families that sick peple shuld stay at hme until at least 24 hurs after they n lnger have a fever r signs f a fever (withut the use f fever-reducing medicine). Clean surfaces and items that are mre likely t have frequent hand cntact such as desks, dr knbs, keybards, r pens, with cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas. Mve students, teachers, and staff t a separate rm if they becme sick at schl until they can be sent hme. Limit the number f staff wh take care f the sick persn and prvide a surgical mask fr the sick persn t wear if they can tlerate it. Have Persnal Prtective Equipment (PPE) such as masks available and ensure the equipment is wrn by schl nurses and ther staff caring fr sick peple at schl. Encurage early medical evaluatin fr sick students and staff at higher risk f cmplicatins frm flu. Peple at high risk f flu cmplicatins wh get sick will benefit frm early treatment with antiviral medicines. Stay in regular cmmunicatin with lcal public health fficials. If the flu cnditins becme MORE severe, steps: schls shuld cnsider adding the fllwing Extend the time sick students, teachers, r staff stay hme fr at least 7 days, even if they feel better sner. Thse wh are still sick after 7 days shuld cntinue t stay hme until at least 24 hurs after symptms have gne away. Allw high-risk students, teachers, and staff t stay hme. These students, teachers, and staff shuld make this decisin in cnsultatin with their physician and/r health prfessinal. Cnduct active fever and symptm screening f students, teachers, and staff upn arrival at schl. Any sick students, teacher, r staff shuld be separated frm thers, ffered a surgical mask, and sent hme. Find ways t increase scial distances (the space between peple) at schl such as rtating teachers between classrms while keeping the same grup f students in ne classrm, mving desks farther apart, r pstpning class trips. Cnsider hw and when t dismiss students by wrking clsely with yur lcal and state public health fficials. If yu decide t dismiss all students, ntify CDC and yur state health and educatin agency by reprting a schl r schl district dismissal at 8/31/09

6 ANNEX A res #9-13 Page 6 Fllw these steps t prepare fr the flu during the schl year: Review and revise existing pandemic plans and fcus n prtecting high-risk students, teachers, and staff. Update student, teacher, and staff cntact infrmatin as well as emergency cntact lists. Identify and establish pints f cntact with the lcal public health and educatin agencies. Develp a plan t cver key staff psitins, such as the schl nurse, when staff stay hme because they are sick. Develp cmmunicatin tls (e.g., letters t parents, Web site pstings) that can be used t send sick students hme, dismiss students, and t remind parents and staff hw lng sick students and staff shuld remain at hme. Check ut Preparing fr the Flu: A Cmmunicatin Tlkit fr Schls (Grades K-12) fr basic infrmatin and cmmunicatin resurces such as letters and flyers fr parents. The tlkit is available at Review schl plicies and awards criteria t encurage scial distancing and aviding any incentives fr students r staff t g t schl when sick (e.g., cancel perfect attendance awards). Develp a schl dismissal plan and ptins fr hw schl wrk can be cntinued at hme (e.g., hmewrk packets, Web-based lessns, phne calls), if schl is dismissed r students are sent hme when sick. Cllabrate with the lcal health department, cmmunity rganizatins, lcal businesses, and scial services n a plan fr flu respnse. Help families and cmmunities understand the imprtant rles they can play in reducing the spread f flu in schls. Fr mre infrmatin: Visit: Cntact CDC 24 Hurs/Every CDC-INFO ( ) TTY: (888) cdcinf@cdc.gv Day 8/31/09

7 Teacher Fact Sheet Actin Steps fr Teachers t Prevent the Spread f Flu ANNEX A rs #9-13 Page 7 Take the fllwing steps ALL the time and nt nly during a flu pandemic t help keep yur students and yurself frm getting sick with flu. Educate and encurage students t cver their muth and nse with a tissue when they cugh r sneeze. Als, prvide them with easy access t tissues. Remind them t cver cughs r sneezes using their elbw instead f their hand when a tissue is nt available. Remind students t practice gd hand hygiene and prvide the time and supplies (easy access t running water and sap r alchl-based hand cleaners) fr them t wash their hands as ften as necessary. Be a gd rle mdel by practicing gd hand hygiene and cvering yur muth and nse when cughing r sneezing. Keep an eye ut fr sick students and send them t the schl health ffice fr further evaluatin. Sick peple shuld stay at hme until at least 24 hurs after they n lnger have a fever r signs f a fever (withut the use f fever-reducing medicine). Clean surfaces and items that are mre likely t have frequent hand cntact such as desks, dr knbs, keybards, r pens, with cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas. Teachers shuld als stay hme when sick. Stay hme until at least 24 hurs after yu n lnger have a fever r signs f a fever (withut the use f fever-reducing medicine). If yu are pregnant, have asthma, diabetes, r ther cnditins that put yu at higher risk fr cmplicatins frm the flu, yu shuld speak with yur dctr as sn as pssible if yu develp symptms f flu-like illness. Peple at high risk f flu cmplicatins wh develp flu can benefit frm early treatment with antiviral medicines. If yu have children, plan ahead fr child care if yur child gets sick r his r her schl is dismissed. Be prepared in case the flu becmes mre severe. Develp ptins fr hw schl wrk can be cntinued at hme (e.g., hmewrk packets, Web-based lessns, phne calls), if schl is dismissed r yur students are hme because smene in their husehld is sick. Be prepared fr sick students r staff stay hme fr at least 7 days, even if they feel better sner. Thse wh are still sick after 7 days shuld cntinue t stay hme until at least 24 hurs after symptms have gne away. Allw high-risk students t stay hme. These students shuld make this decisin in cnsultatin with their physician r ther health prfessinal. Find ways t increase scial distances (the space between peple) in yur classrm. Fr example, yu might rearrange desks s that there is mre space between students, cnsider canceling classes that bring students tgether frm different rms, r pstpne class trips. Fr mre infrmatin: Visit: Cntact CDC 24 Hurs/Every Day CDC-INFO ( ) TIY: (888) cdcinf@cdc.gv 8/31/09