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Preparing Schools For The Flu Revised September 2016

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  • Preparing Schools For

    The Flu

    Revised September 2016

  • Influenza (The Flu)

    � The flu is a contagious, respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses.

    � Flu can be mild to severe, and at times can lead to death.

    � On average, each year 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu.

  • How Flu Spreads

    � Person to person from coughing and sneezing

    � Touching objects with flu viruses on them and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth

    � Contact with infected people� Beginning 1 day before their symptoms start

    � And up to 7 days after they become sick

  • Symptoms Of The Flu

    � Fever (usually high)

    � Headache

    � Tiredness

    � Dry cough

    � Sore throat

    � Runny or stuffy nose

    � Body aches

    � Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children)

  • Getting Vaccinated Every Year

    Is The Best Flu Prevention!

    � The 2016-2017 flu vaccine will protect against three influenza viruses: the 2009 H1N1 virus, an H3N2 virus, and an influenza type B virus. A flu vaccine containing a fourth virus strain, also an influenza type B virus, is also available.

    � The body needs about two weeks after getting the flu vaccine to build immunity.

    � Flu vaccines do not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

  • When To Get Vaccinated?

    � As soon as the vaccine becomes available (as early as September)

    � Throughout the influenza season, into December and January, and beyond

    � Peak influenza season often occurs in February or later

  • “Flu Shots”

    ►Flu vaccinations or “flu shots” are usually given by needle.

    ►The vaccine is made with killed virus.

  • Flu shots are approved for

    use in people 6 months and

    older, including healthy

    people with chronic medical

    conditions.

  • Who Should Get Vaccinated

    � The Centers for Disease Control and

    Prevention recommends “universal”

    flu vaccination. Everyone 6 months

    and older should be vaccinated

    against the flu.

  • High Risk Groups For Flu

    Complications

    � It is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu-related complications or who live with or care for people at high risk to get vaccinated including:

    � Children younger than 5 years old, but

    especially those younger than 2 years old

    � Pregnant women

    � People of any age with certain chronic medical

    conditions

  • High Risk Groups For Flu

    Complications

    � People 50 years of age and older

    � Household contacts and caregivers for children under 6 months of age

    � People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities

    � Health care workers

    � Household contacts of people at high risk of complications from the flu

  • People Who Should Not Get Flu

    Vaccinations

    � Severe allergy to chicken eggs

    � Severe reaction to flu vaccination in the past

    � Developed Guillain-Barre´ syndrome within 6 weeks of getting a flu shot in the past

    � Children less than 6 months of age

    � Currently experiencing moderate or severe illness with a fever (wait until symptoms lessen)

  • What If You Were Exposed

    To The Flu?

    � After a flu exposure, contact your physician. Antiviral drugs may be used to prevent or treat the flu.

    � Your physician must make the decision whether antiviral drugs are right for you to use.

  • � Stay home if you are sick!

    � Avoid close contact with people

    who are sick.

    � Cover your nose and mouth

    with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

    � Don’t touch your eyes, nose & mouth.

    � Get lots of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods.

    � Wash your hands often.

    Healthy Habits Can Stop Flu

  • Hand Washing: Simple Yet

    Serious Prevention!

    � Wash hands with soap and warm water for

    20 seconds. Dry hands with a paper towel or

    with an air hand dryer.

    � If soap and water are unavailable,

    use wipes or alcohol-based gel

    or foam. Rub the product all over

    hands and fingers until dry.

  • Always Clean Your Hands

    � When they are dirty,

    like after touching

    things in public spaces

    � When someone

    around you is sick

    � After going to the

    bathroom

    � After blowing nose,

    coughing or sneezing

    � After changing

    diapers or helping

    with toileting

    � After handling animals

    or their waste

    � After handling

    garbage

    � Before and after

    dressing a wound

  • Studies Show…

    � Flu viruses remain viable and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on surfaces.

    � Wiping or spraying surfaces with a household disinfectant* will help prevent spread of flu viruses.

    *(chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, soap, and alcohols)

  • Flu In Schools

    Students and staff can get sick with

    the flu and schools may act as a

    point of spread.

  • School & Health Department

    Collaboration Is Critical!

    � The Health Department relies on

    schools to report weekly illness

    numbers.

    � Reporting data allows the Health

    Department to determine the extent

    of illness and whether or not flu

    conditions are severe.

  • Registration and Log In:

    www.accesskent.com/schoolreporting/Questions on reporting? Call (616) 632-7228.

    Easy Online Reporting Of Weekly Illness

    Data To Kent County Health Department

  • Recommendations To Help

    Reduce The Spread Of Flu In

    Schools

    � Encourage students, parents, and staff to take preventive action to stop the spread of germs.

    � Get an annual flu shot

    � Cover coughs and sneezes

    � Practice good hand hygiene

    � Keep hands away from eyes, nose and

    mouth

  • Recommendations To Help

    Reduce The Spread Of Flu In

    Schools

    � Encourage students and staff to stay home when sick.

    � Stay home until at least 24 hours after they

    no longer have a fever or signs of fever

    without the use of a fever reducing

    medicine*.

    (*Any medicine with ibuprofen or acetaminophen)

  • Recommendations To Help

    Reduce The Spread Of Flu In

    Schools

    � Encourage routine surface cleaning.

    � Clean surfaces and objects that are touched

    often.

    � Use general cleaning products.

    � Have disinfecting wipes in the classroom.

  • Recommendations To Help

    Reduce The Spread Of Flu In

    Schools

    � Educate students, parents, and staff on what to do if someone gets sick.

    � Teach everyone to recognize flu symptoms,

    emergency warning signs, and who is at

    high risk.

    � Separate sick students and staff from others.

    � Send sick students and staff home if

    possible.

  • Determining School

    Guidelines For Flu

    � Monitor the local flu situation

    � Data on Kent County flu activity will be posted weekly at www.stickittotheflu.com

    � School dismissal and closure is not recommended for the control of seasonal flu

    � Any response will be determined by the level and severity of illness in the community

    � Some schools may decide to close based on high student and/or staff absenteeism

  • Additional Recommendations

    For Administrators

    � Designate a separate room for sick students until they can be sent home

    � Stock classrooms with tissues and hand sanitizer

  • Additional Recommendations

    For Administrators

    � Review emergency plans and make any necessary revisions

    � Update staff and student emergency contact lists

    � Plan how to cover when key staff people are sick

  • Additional Recommendations

    For Teachers and Nurses

    � Remove sick students

    from the classroom and

    send home if possible

    � Emphasize covering

    mouth when coughing

    and sneezing

    � Emphasize hand

    washing after blowing

    nose, coughing and

    sneezing

    � Prepare “take home”

    lessons for students

    recovering at home

    � Regularly clean common

    surfaces in classrooms

  • Communicate Steps Parents Can

    Take To Protect Family Against Flu

    � Encourage annual flu shots for everyone especially those at high risk

    � Keep a sick child home

    � Cover coughs and sneezes

    � Clean hands

    � Keep sick household members

    in separate room

    � Clean surfaces

    � Monitor health of sick child

  • Communicate Flu Symptoms

    Requiring Urgent Medical Care

    � Fast breathing or trouble breathing

    � Bluish or gray skin color

    � Not drinking fluids

    � Severe or persistent vomiting

    � Not waking up

    � The child is so irritable, he or she does not want to be held

  • Communicate Flu Symptoms

    Requiring Urgent Medical Care

    � Pain or pressure in the abdomen

    � Sudden dizziness

    � Confusion

    � Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever & worse cough

  • Kent County Health

    Department Contacts

    Communicable Disease Unit:

    Ph: (616) 632-7287

    [email protected]

    Health Education & Promotion:

    Ph: (616) 632-7219

    [email protected]