Rwilmer
Well-known member
How Chicago's schools are preparing for a new school year with H1N1
August 28, 7:10 PM Chicago Health Care Examiner Christiana Roach
As fall approaches and students return to class, concerns over the H1N1 influenza strain are resurfacing. The H1N1 strain was first identified in April, 2009, its spread from Mexico to the Chicago area occurring at the tail end of the school year. Even so, several schools closed after students tested positive for the virus or fell sick with flu-like symptoms. However, as this school year begins, administrators are armed with a better understanding of how to prevent the virus' spread as well as what to do if a student or teacher does become infected with the H1N1 virus.
First and foremost for school administrators is prevention. Posters emphasizing regular hand washing, covering the mouth when coughing, and other measures which prevent transmission of the virus will be posted in all schools. Hand sanitizers will be available to each student and both teachers and students will be required to clean their hands before eating.
Next, teachers are to be on alert for signs of illness in their students. If flu-like symptoms (ex: fever, coughing, fatigue) are noted, the student will immediately be taken from the class and kept isolated in the school clinic or an empty classroom until a parent or guardian can be reached to pick up the child. The student will be expected to stay home until the symptoms resolve and the child is no longer contagious. The CDC recommends students stay home until their temperature is normal for 24 hours without medication.
A confirmed case of H1N1 will not necessarily mean school closure. According to Dr. Julie Morita of the Chicago Department of Public Health, "We're really not jumping to close schools immediately if we suspect there's an infection going on in the school." The CDC also recommends early school closure only in cases where the majority of the student population is high-risk (ex: students with medical conditions). Currently, H1N1 virus infection remains fairly mild in its course with the majority of patients recovering without incidence or even medical attention. Obviously, should the virus somehow become more virulent, school closures would be re-addressed.
For a refresher course on the H1N1 virus - symptoms, prevention, treatment, etc. - the CDC's website provides plenty of information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm . And, to take a look at the CDC's H1N1 recommendations for schools, go to: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm .
For a look at the Chicago Public Schools' guidelines, go to: www.cps.edu/Spotlight/Pages/Spotlight123.aspx . The website provides information on what symptoms to look for in your child, what CPS is doing to address H1N1 as the school season begins, and offers links to other resources.
Finally, to view a discussion of the CPS flu guidelines, visit: http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=61783@wbbm.dayport.com.
http://www.examiner.com/x-7503-Chicago-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m8d28-How-Chicagos-schools-are-preparing-for-a-new-school-year-with-H1N1
August 28, 7:10 PM Chicago Health Care Examiner Christiana Roach
As fall approaches and students return to class, concerns over the H1N1 influenza strain are resurfacing. The H1N1 strain was first identified in April, 2009, its spread from Mexico to the Chicago area occurring at the tail end of the school year. Even so, several schools closed after students tested positive for the virus or fell sick with flu-like symptoms. However, as this school year begins, administrators are armed with a better understanding of how to prevent the virus' spread as well as what to do if a student or teacher does become infected with the H1N1 virus.
First and foremost for school administrators is prevention. Posters emphasizing regular hand washing, covering the mouth when coughing, and other measures which prevent transmission of the virus will be posted in all schools. Hand sanitizers will be available to each student and both teachers and students will be required to clean their hands before eating.
Next, teachers are to be on alert for signs of illness in their students. If flu-like symptoms (ex: fever, coughing, fatigue) are noted, the student will immediately be taken from the class and kept isolated in the school clinic or an empty classroom until a parent or guardian can be reached to pick up the child. The student will be expected to stay home until the symptoms resolve and the child is no longer contagious. The CDC recommends students stay home until their temperature is normal for 24 hours without medication.
A confirmed case of H1N1 will not necessarily mean school closure. According to Dr. Julie Morita of the Chicago Department of Public Health, "We're really not jumping to close schools immediately if we suspect there's an infection going on in the school." The CDC also recommends early school closure only in cases where the majority of the student population is high-risk (ex: students with medical conditions). Currently, H1N1 virus infection remains fairly mild in its course with the majority of patients recovering without incidence or even medical attention. Obviously, should the virus somehow become more virulent, school closures would be re-addressed.
For a refresher course on the H1N1 virus - symptoms, prevention, treatment, etc. - the CDC's website provides plenty of information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm . And, to take a look at the CDC's H1N1 recommendations for schools, go to: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm .
For a look at the Chicago Public Schools' guidelines, go to: www.cps.edu/Spotlight/Pages/Spotlight123.aspx . The website provides information on what symptoms to look for in your child, what CPS is doing to address H1N1 as the school season begins, and offers links to other resources.
Finally, to view a discussion of the CPS flu guidelines, visit: http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=61783@wbbm.dayport.com.
http://www.examiner.com/x-7503-Chicago-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m8d28-How-Chicagos-schools-are-preparing-for-a-new-school-year-with-H1N1