Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Information - Schuylerville Central Schools, Schuylerville, NY

The Saratoga County Public Health Nursing Services is collaborating with Schuylerville Central School District to host an H1N1 vaccine clinic for students in grades K-12. The H1N1 vaccine will also be available for school staff members, parents, siblings and all residents of Saratoga County.

The H1N1 Clinic will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Schuylerville Jr.-Sr. High School cafeteria. There is no cost for this vaccine. [READ MORE]

H1N1 flu ("swine flu") information

With the recent attention to the H1N1 flu ("swine flu"), Schuylerville Central School District is providing information to parents and community members seeking facts about this strain of flu virus.

The district is continually monitoring student and staff health and is in contact with the Saratoga County Department of Health regarding protocols for those who have flu-like symptoms or upper-respiratory illness. We will continue to work with local and state officials, as well as monitor information from the Centers for Disease Control, to ensure the well-being of our school community. Please understand that this is an evolving situation and the district will provide updated information as it becomes available.

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
H1N1 flu (earlier referred to as "swine flu") is a new influenza that is causing illness in people. It was first diagnosed in the United States in April 2009 and is thought to spread in much the same way that regular seasonal flu spreads—through coughing or sneezing by an infected person.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu can vary in severity from mild to severe, and may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Should I keep my healthy children home from school as a precaution?
No. Parents do not need to keep otherwise healthy children home from school unless directed to do so by local school and health officials.

However, children who are ill should not attend school. Please monitor your child for influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and keep your child home if he/she is sick. You may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if symptoms are severe.

Is there a vaccine against H1N1 (swine) flu?
CDC has developed a vaccine for H1N1 flu and it is now available. Click here for details on the vaccination clinic taking place on campus on February 4, 2010. As always, a vaccine is available and recommended to protect against seasonal influenza.

What are strategies to protect against getting sick?
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health and educate your children about these strategies:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the crook of the elbow.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. In order to kill germs, health officials recommend washing long enough to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Use of alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Additionally, avoid sharing personal items, such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I or my children become ill?

If you or your children become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider particularly if you are worried about the symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you or your children are sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading illness to others. As a parent, it's recommended that you have a plan in place to care for your children if they become ill and must stay home. Ill persons should stay home even if they're taking anti-viral medications.

The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like symptoms remain at home for at least 24 hours after there are no more signs of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications). A fever is defined as a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.

What percentage of hospitalizations for 2009 H1N1 flu occur in different age groups in the United States?
According to the CDC, from August 30, 2009 to October 10, 2009, states reported 4,958 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 hospitalizations to the CDC. Of these H1N1-related hospitalizations, the percentage breakdown according to age groups is as follows:

0 to 4 years of age: 19 percent

5-18 years of age: 25 percent

19-24 years of age: 9 percent

25-49 years of age: 24 percent

50-64 years of age: 15 percent

65 years of age and older: 7 percent.

(Source: CDC Web site. Link to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm for more details.)

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