What is H1N1 flu?
H1N1 Influenza is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses. The symptoms of H1N1 flu are:
- Fever (usually high)
- Cough
- Body aches and/or headache
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Tiredness (can be extreme)
- Runny or stuffy nose
How do you get H1N1 flu?
The flu usually spreads when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. Healthy adults may be able to infect others one day before getting symptoms and up to five days after getting sick.
What happens if my child gets sick at school?
If a student's temperature is above 100 degrees, or is ill, the school office will contact parents to pick their child up at school.
How do prevent H1N1 flu?
The most important steps you can take to avoid getting the flu are to:
- wash your hands often, especially when they come in contact with contaminated surfaces and to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- stay at home when you are sick
- CDC strongly recommends vaccination for seasonal H1N1 flu
What is the district doing about it?
Newberg School District has a Pandemic Influenza Plan that outlines the roles of the schools in prevention, preparation and response to a communicable disease threat. The plan is revised annually to ensure coordination with federal, local and non-governmental organizations.
Activities, athletics and H1N1
The Oregon School Activities Association has established guidelines for student and team participation in the event schools close due to the H1N1 virus. Teams and individual students from schools that are closed due to H1N1 will not be allowed to participate in high school activities or athletics until the school as re-opened and classes resume. Details at
http://www.osaa.org/broadcastemail/H1N1VirusSwineFlumemo.pdf
H1N1 Flu Resources
Newberg School District Pandemic Flu Plan
Yamhill County Public Health
Oregon Department of Public Health/Acute and Communicable Disease
www.flu.gov
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
"We've heard that . . ."
“Students who get the nasal spray will have to wear masks because it is a live virus and they will spread it by sneezing and coughing.”
According to school district nurse Annie Berger, wearing a mask after a nasal injection is not necessary.
“Children will be held down, kicking and screaming, to vaccinate them.”
Medical personnel from Yamhill County Public Health conducting the vaccination clinics will not use bodily force to vaccinate children. Clinic workers will do their best to honor parent or guardian wishes to vaccinate their child said school liaison Michelle Bergeron, but that does not include physically forcing children against their will.
“Taking vitamin D reduces the impact of the H1N1 vaccine.”
We’re educators. Please discuss this with your health care provider.
"We are two students away from the high school being closed because of the flu."
There are no plans to close school due to absenteeism at this point. A greater concern is maintaining school operations if more than 30 percent of the staff are absent.
