H1N1 Influenza Information

Dear Parent,
We want to keep you informed of any health issues that arise at school, and inevitably we now have a confirmed case of the H1N1 flu (swine flu).  We already have procedures in place that we are following regarding illnesses at school and cleaning practices. 

We have all probably been exposed to this in our community and should already be practicing good health habits.  Please help us keep our school functioning by reviewing the following information with your families:

• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
• Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs.  Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.
• Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.

For more information, please visit the website for The Center for Disease Control at www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. 

Thanks for your help.
Tammie Saunders

Note: DBCS does not necessarily endorse the information provided by the Virginia Department of Health regarding the swine flu vaccination. It is for informational purposes only.