Schools: suspected H1N1 cases no cause for alarm
By Leean Tupper | leean.tupper@oakridger.com
The Oak Ridger
Posted Sep 02, 2009 @ 09:00 AM
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. ? There are at least two suspected cases of the H1N1 flu virus in Oak Ridge schools, according to a city school official.
However the suspected cases are no cause for alarm, Larrissa Henderson, director of Oak Ridge schools' pupil services, told The Oak Ridger on Tuesday.
"We're trying to be proactive," she said.
Henderson said there is a suspected case of the "swine flu" at Robertsville Middle School and there may be another case involving a student at Willow Brook Elementary School.
"We have nothing confirmed," Henderson said.
Information has been sent home with students about the swine flu and instructions to follow about school attendance if the virus is suspected, according to Henderson.
So far, attendance "looks like it's holding out pretty well," she said.
"We don't know the impact," Henderson added, "or if it's going to have any impact at all."
Symptoms of the flu include fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and cough/sore throat. Other symptoms may include headache, chills, muscle aches or fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea.
To slow the spread of germs, individuals who are sick should stay home and away from other people until they are well again; children shouldn't return to school until they have gone 24 hours without fever and without the fever being controlled by medication.
As of last week, Anderson County schools hadn't had any reported or confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, although some people are dealing with flu-like symptoms, according to a spokesperson.
Clinton City schools, a three-elementary-school feeder system to Anderson County schools, last week had its first reported case of H1N1 virus at Clinton Elementary School.
By Leean Tupper | leean.tupper@oakridger.com
The Oak Ridger
Posted Sep 02, 2009 @ 09:00 AM
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. ? There are at least two suspected cases of the H1N1 flu virus in Oak Ridge schools, according to a city school official.
However the suspected cases are no cause for alarm, Larrissa Henderson, director of Oak Ridge schools' pupil services, told The Oak Ridger on Tuesday.
"We're trying to be proactive," she said.
Henderson said there is a suspected case of the "swine flu" at Robertsville Middle School and there may be another case involving a student at Willow Brook Elementary School.
"We have nothing confirmed," Henderson said.
Information has been sent home with students about the swine flu and instructions to follow about school attendance if the virus is suspected, according to Henderson.
So far, attendance "looks like it's holding out pretty well," she said.
"We don't know the impact," Henderson added, "or if it's going to have any impact at all."
Symptoms of the flu include fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and cough/sore throat. Other symptoms may include headache, chills, muscle aches or fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea.
To slow the spread of germs, individuals who are sick should stay home and away from other people until they are well again; children shouldn't return to school until they have gone 24 hours without fever and without the fever being controlled by medication.
As of last week, Anderson County schools hadn't had any reported or confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, although some people are dealing with flu-like symptoms, according to a spokesperson.
Clinton City schools, a three-elementary-school feeder system to Anderson County schools, last week had its first reported case of H1N1 virus at Clinton Elementary School.
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