CDC Flu Prevention for Schools
September 18, 2009
West Houston Charter School is taking the threat of an outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus in our community seriously. We will be monitoring student illness and teachers will be stressing the importance of good hygiene practices such as hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.
To help prevent the spread of the flu viruses, the CDC is recommending that students who do exhibit flu-like symptoms (fever with a cough or sore throat) should not attend school for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine
As a parent, you can help by reinforcing these good hygiene
practices with your children at home. The CDC and WHCS recommends
the following steps in order to slow down the spread of
influenza:
-Students who are ill should stay home. Students have to be free of
fever for at least 24 hours before they return to school.
-Avoid close contact
-Cover coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of
the hand when a tissue is unavailable. Cover your cough or sneeze
with a tissue when available, throw tissue away immediately
-Wash hands frequently with soap for 20 seconds (be sure to be a
good example by doing this yourself)
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
-Join WHCS in teaching your children not to share personal items
like drinks, food or unwashed utensils
-Stay healthy, get rest, and drink plenty of water
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean swine flu. Additional information on swine flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm.
At this time, Health Department officials are not recommending that siblings of sick students remain at home, unless they themselves are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
If you have reason to be concerned that you or your child may have the flu, please contact your family doctor as soon as possible. The H1N1 flu virus can only be diagnosed by a medical professional. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
WHCS thanks you for your cooperation and efforts to keep students healthy and safe at school.
