|
H1N1 Flu Updates
An outbreak of the H1N1 Flu has caused the U.S. to issue a public health alert. The Mt. Lebanon School District is doing everything possible to protect the health of students and staff.
Confirmed Cases of H1N1 in the Mt. Lebanon School District
The first confirmed case of H1N1 in each building will be reported below:
|
High School |
Foster |
Howe |
Jefferson Middle |
Markham |
| Student |
1st confirmed 10/1/09 |
1st confirmed 10/12/09 |
1st confirmed 10/13/09 |
1st confirmed 10/15/09 |
1st confirmed10/15/09 |
| Staff |
1st confirmed 10/5/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
Lincoln |
Mellon MS |
Washington |
| Student |
1st confirmed 10/15/09 |
1st confirmed 10/15/09 |
1st confirmed 10/15/09 |
| Staff |
|
|
|
Mt. Lebanon School DIstrict Response:
- The Mt. Lebanon Health Services Department is working with the Allegheny County Health Department to monitor the situation and participate in surveillance and monitoring procedures at the local, state and national levels.
- The District Safety and Security Committee continue to meet and review pandemic planning.
- Principals have reminded building custodial staff of the importance of preventative cleaning and to make sure supplies of soap, hand sanitizers and towels are maintained.
- Homeroom teachers have been asked to review hand washing procedures and cough etiquette with students to reduce the spread of disease.
- District staff have been advised on how school districts should respond to any Influenza Like Illness (ILI) through bulletins, webinars, and up-to-the- minute email communication from the Centers for Disease Control, PA Department of Education, the PA Department of Health, and the MTLSD Health Services Department.
- First wave communication about H1N1 was sent to staff and parents on September 1, 2009.
- First case of H1N1 in the District was reported in the High School on October 1, 2009. All District staff and parents were informed by email and letter.
Flu Prevention Tips
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
- The flu comes on much more quickly than the common cold, has more severe symptoms, and typically lasts 3-5 days. Symptoms of the H1N1 flu can include any of the following: fever (100o and above) severe cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting.
What should I do to protect from getting sick?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper arm if you do not have a tissue.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus, e.g., doorknobs, desks, computers keyboards and faucets.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay in good general health by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food.
- Get a seasonal flu vaccine to protect yourself against seasonal flu viruses.
- Get an H1N1 flu vaccine when this vaccine becomes available.
What should I do if I get sick?
- Stay home for at least 24 hours after you are fever-free (without fever-reducing medication).
- If you suspect you have the flu, contact your health care provider and the school immediately.
How long will I be infectious?
The virus can be shed from 1 day before getting sick to 5-7 days after getting sick.
Call or take your child to a doctor if your child has:
-
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
-
Bluish or gray skin color
-
Not drinking enough fluids
-
Severe or persistent vomiting
-
Not waking up or not interactingBeing so irritable that your child does not want to be held
-
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
-
Chronic health condition (like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, immune compromised) and develops flu-like symptoms.
Is there medicine to treat the flu?
- Antiviral medication is used to treat the seasonal and H1N1 flu. Your doctor must prescribe it within first 2 days of the illness. The priority use for these medications is for people who are seriously ill or are at risk for serious flu complications.
- Contact your family physician if you have questions about your or your child’s health.
Children experiencing flu symptoms who have chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart problems or who have immune systems that are compromised or suppressed should contact their family doctor for advice. These conditions can result in more severe illness from influenza, including the new H1N1 virus.
Resources
Letter sent to Mt. Lebanon parents, October 1, 2009
Letter sent to Mt. Lebanon parents, Sept. 1, 2009
ACHD H1N1 Tip Sheet
MTLSD Health Services Department Flu Prevention Tips
PA Department of Health H1N1 Information
CDC H1N1 brochure
CDC H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
CDC H1N1 Flu Guidance for Schools K-12
Allegheny County Health Department H1N1 Fact Sheet
Talking to Children About H1N1 Flu (NASN, PTA, NASP)
Stopping Germs at Home and School
|
