H1N1 Highly Contagious
by Tammy Schmidt
October 15, 2009
This week we received notification that MGS and MJSHS have confirmed cases of H1N1. H1N1 is highly contagious and spreads rapidly. Fortunately, illness from this virus is usually mild and only lasts a few days; although in some cases can cause serious disease. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and chills. Some present with diarrhea and vomiting.
Please monitor your child for these symptoms. If your child presents with a temperature of 100 degrees or above they need to remain home. Please do not take them anywhere else, except to receive medical care if needed. Your child needs to remain home until they are fever free (without the use of fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol or Ibuprofen) for at least 24 hours. The Physicians at ComCare report to me that if one has a diagnosis of H1N1 it may be 5-7 days before one feels up to returning to school because of the fatigue. Their immune system will be low and staying home an extra few days will help restore them to full health and help them become stronger to cope with other communicable diseases that could be in our buildings. Please plan for the possibility that you will be called to bring your child home from school if they become ill.
Please practice
the following prevention protocols: good hand washing or use
of alcohol based hand sanitizers, cough and/or sneeze into your
sleeve, dispose of tissues in the trash and wash your hands.
Make sure that your child is getting plenty of sleep, getting
exercise, drinking plenty of fluids and eating a balanced diet
which includes lots of fruits and vegetables.
Stay informed. A great resource is www.flu.gov.
If you have questions about H1N1 please call me at 392-4120.
If your child is ill, please contact your physician.
For questions about the H1N1 Vaccine, call the Ottawa County
Health Department.
If your student is absent due to illness please, let the school know the symptoms. I am monitoring absences to support County and State surveillance guidelines and I need your input to do so. Thank you for complying to these guidelines, as we work together to keep all students healthy and in school.
For the
Children,
Tammy, RN
