2009 H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)
2009 H1N1 influenza is now considered widespread in Connecticut, as well as in most of the other states in the nation. Several schools in Connecticut, including some in eastern Connecticut, have experienced high absentee rates among students. Influenza activity at this time of year is presumed to be H1N1 influenza, since seasonal flu activity in eastern Connecticut usually occurs in January or February. H1N1 vaccine has been provided to local health departments through multi-town Mass Dispensing Areas as well as to community health providers. Numerous H1N1 public vaccination clinics in Colchester and adjacent towns have made the vaccine available to scores of residents. Local medical care providers have provided vaccine to many of their clients.
Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are:
· Fever (although not everyone with the flu will have a fever)
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
The Colchester Health Department and the Colchester Board of Education have been working together closely to develop policies and procedures that will best serve Colchester’s children and residents in the case of a pandemic flu. The Board of Education database of student absence now has three years of statistics, and is providing good baseline data about past student absences. This information helps us understand what volume of absence is normal, so that we can better determine what a high absence volume is. When student absences reach a threshold of 10% of the population, school absence data will be posted on the school website at www.colchesterct.org. Parents are strongly urged to provide information concerning a student's absence when calling a student out sick. This information helps the Health Department and the Board of Education with the early identification of illness trends, including influenza.
If a child is sick, parents should consider the following information:
If your child has:
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Then:
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Fever (100o F or 37.8 o C) AND either sore throat or cough.
These symptoms may suggest influenza-like illness. Your child may have the flu. Other symptoms can include runny nose, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea.
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Keep your child home from school and child care until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone (once they have stopped taking fever-reducing medicine.)
Medicines that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) can reduce fever and relieve pain. As the sick person begins to feel better you may decide to stop giving them fever-reducing medicines. Continue to monitor their temperature until it has been normal (98.7 F or 37 C) for 24 hours. Aspirin should NOT be given to children or teenagers with the flu as this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
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If your child has other symptoms:
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Then:
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· Fever alone, OR
· Vomiting or diarrhea, OR
· Sore throat or new cough with no fever
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Keep your child home from school and child care until fever and non-fever symptoms are gone for 24 hours. If fever is present, follow guidance in box above.
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Limited vaccine supply
Right now, Connecticut, as well as the rest of the nation, has only limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine. As a result, vaccine must be prioritized to the populations that are most affected by the virus. Depending which vaccine is available, these populations include:
· Children 6 months to 24 years old
· Pregnant women
· Healthcare workers
· School nurses
· EMS workers whose primary role is to provide direct patient care
· Household contacts of children under the age of 6 months
Colchester Health Department works with its regional and state partners on a constant basis to provide H1N1 education and vaccination programs. Residents seeking information about the H1N1 virus or vaccine should call the Health Department Information Line at 537-3910. The Information Line message will provide information about seasonal and H1N1 vaccination events, and also allow the caller to leave their name and phone number so that a staff person can call them back to provide more specific information. All residents looking for information about the seasonal or H1N1 flu are requested to use the Information Line system at 537-3910 so that the Department’s phone line will be free to conduct regular daily business.
How to keep healthy
Individuals not included in a priority population at this time can help protect themselves against the seasonal and H1N1 flu by taking everyday steps to protect their health:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you are sick with flu-like illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
· Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Other important actions
· Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
· Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
H1N1 Vaccine safety
If you still need more information about the H1N1 flu or vaccine, call the Information Line at 537-3910 and leave your contact information. A staff member will get back in touch with you within one working day.
last updated 12/1/09
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