H1N1 Flu Update #2

The subject of H1N1 seems to have staff rooms abuzz this week!  Please continue to phone the local office with your questions and concerns - we are here to help you.  Also, check the previous posts about H1N1 for additional information (see the H1N1 category under "labels" to the right hand side of this  screen).  

As teachers, you are likely the first school staff to encounter your students as they arrive at school for the day.  You must be vigilant in watching for flu-like symptoms, both as students arrive at school, and throughout the school day.   Students who exhibit flu symptoms must be isolated immediately. School principals have been instructed to have an isolation area set up in order to minimize contact between ill students and the rest of the school population.   The reception area of the school office is NOT an appropriate "isolation area" as it is a high traffic area.  Once an ill student is reported by you, the teacher, the office should be contacting their parent/guardian to pick up their child.  Those ill with the flu are considered to be contagious until they are no longer exhibiting any symptoms - usually about 7 to 10 days.  Students should not be readmitted to school until they are symptom-free.

Symptoms of the flu include:

• Almost always:  sudden onset of cough and fever
• Common:  muscle aches, sore throat, headache, decreased appetite, runny nose
• Sometimes:  nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

For more information about the flu, remember to visit the ETFO website at www.etfo.ca and click on the blue H1N1 button on the main page (you'll find a live link to ETFO's website in the top right hand corner of this blog).  Also, you will find the Region of Durham's Health Department website to be a useful source of information - it includes up to date information about local flu clinics as well.  You can click on the title of today's blog post to go to their website.  Women who are pregnant should find the information brochure called "Pregnancy and the Flu" (under "Important Resources") to be particularly informative.  There are also tips about how to stay healthy (e.g. washing hands often, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, getting vaccinated, etc.).