H1N1 (aka Swine Flu)

There has been a lot of talk over the months about the H1N1 virus. Here in Kanabec County the primary resource for information will be our public health office. There is a hotline where they can be reached at 320-679-6464. With that is mind, there are a few things to be aware of: 

• Parents are the first line of defense in protecting children from the flu.
• Keep children out of school when they have flu symptoms
• Be alert for flu-like symptoms in your children – they can’t always tell you when something is wrong.
• Flu symptoms for novel H1N1 flu are generally the same as the symptoms for regular “seasonal” flu:
  • fever
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • body aches
  • headache
  • chills
  • fatigue.
• In some cases, symptoms of novel H1N1 can also include vomiting and diarrhea – which are not typically present with seasonal flu.
• Be sure to tell your school why you are keeping your child home – so they know flu may be circulating in the school.
• Sick children shouldn’t go back to school until 24 hours after their fever goes away – without the help of fever-reducing drugs like Tylenol or Motrin.
• Do not give aspirin to children with flu symptoms – it can cause complications.
• Usually, children with flu symptoms need to stay home for 5 to 7 days.
• While they’re home with flu symptoms, children should generally be kept away from other people – except to get medical care.
• Plan ahead for child care and other arrangements in case you do have to keep your child home with possible flu symptoms during the school year.
• Teach your children how to avoid getting or spreading the flu virus.
  • Teach your children to clean their hands thoroughly and often – using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
    • Some schools are already making plans to make sure they have an ample supply of hand-cleaning supplies – and encourage children to use them.
    • Consider giving your child a small container of alcohol hand-rub to take to school.
    • If you do encourage your child to use hand rub, be sure they know how. It only works if your hands are not visibly soiled.
  • Teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes – with a tissue if they have one, or by coughing or sneezing into an arm or an elbow.
  • Teach your children not to share personal items that could transmit the flu virus – like drinks, water bottles, food, or eating utensils.
• It is especially important this year for parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu.
• It’s not too early to get a seasonal flu vaccination.