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H1N1 in school, so what to do (09/23/2009)
By Cynthya Porter
District 861 school officials are grappling with the H1N1 flu virus among their ranks, and while the virulent bug is not expected to prompt any school closures, officials are urging stepped up efforts to prevent its spread.
Scott Hannon, director of academic affairs, said one student has been hospitalized with a confirmed case of H1N1, and several more students and staff are recovering at home from suspected infections.
Health officials will only administer the test that confirms a virus is H1N1 if a patient is hospitalized with flu complications. But they can test for generic flu viruses and confirm whether a sick patient has the type of strain that H1N1 belongs to.
Called a Type A strain, that diagnosis is being considered an adequate probable diagnosis of H1N1 for area schools and colleges to advise sick students and staff to remain home until flu symptoms subside.
In District 861, Hannon said as of last week two paraprofessionals, seven students and a teacher were at home monitoring flu symptoms, though he said he expects that number to grow over the coming weeks.
The virus has a hallmark of easily spreading between people, but has largely exhibited mild symptoms in those who become ill, contrary to early fears about the influenza strain that first surfaced early this year.
Health Department officials have downgraded their recommendations for school closings to avoid outbreaks, instead saying sick students and staff should stay at home for at least 24 hours after their fever subsides.
By Cynthya Porter
District 861 school officials are grappling with the H1N1 flu virus among their ranks, and while the virulent bug is not expected to prompt any school closures, officials are urging stepped up efforts to prevent its spread.
Scott Hannon, director of academic affairs, said one student has been hospitalized with a confirmed case of H1N1, and several more students and staff are recovering at home from suspected infections.
Health officials will only administer the test that confirms a virus is H1N1 if a patient is hospitalized with flu complications. But they can test for generic flu viruses and confirm whether a sick patient has the type of strain that H1N1 belongs to.
Called a Type A strain, that diagnosis is being considered an adequate probable diagnosis of H1N1 for area schools and colleges to advise sick students and staff to remain home until flu symptoms subside.
In District 861, Hannon said as of last week two paraprofessionals, seven students and a teacher were at home monitoring flu symptoms, though he said he expects that number to grow over the coming weeks.
The virus has a hallmark of easily spreading between people, but has largely exhibited mild symptoms in those who become ill, contrary to early fears about the influenza strain that first surfaced early this year.
Health Department officials have downgraded their recommendations for school closings to avoid outbreaks, instead saying sick students and staff should stay at home for at least 24 hours after their fever subsides.
