This note serves to inform the school community that influenza-like symptoms have been experienced by a number of our students. While I cannot with 100% accuracy know what strain of flu they are experiencing, I can let you know the symptoms and reiterate our efforts regarding prevention.
Symptoms being reported are (Generally):
- Fever 102
- General Malaise (Couch sitting- without energy)
- No appetite
- Dry cough
- Body Aches
Pediatrician offices are not testing for H1N1 . They are relying on symptoms being reported by parents and advising comfort measures until their bodies defenses kick in to fight off the viral invader.
PREVENTION
Tips on minimizing getting the Swine Flu
The portals of entry of the H1N1 virus are the nostrils and mouth/throat.
While you are still healthy and not showing symptoms of the infection, some very simple steps can be practiced.
- Frequent HANDWASHING. HANDWASHING still remains the best defensive strategy.
- HANDS OFF THE FACE. Resist temptation to touch your face, unless you want to eat or bathe.
- Gargle twice a day with warm salt water. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat and nasal cavity to proliferate. Gargling with salt and water has the same effect on a healthy individual that anti-virals has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventive measure.
- Cleanse your nasal cavity with a saline nasal spray that you can buy over the counter. If this is uncomfortable you can blow your nose once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton tipped applicators dipped in warm salt water.
- Drink lots of warm liquids. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling but in the reverse direction. It helps to cleanse viruses from the throat and stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
RELIEF
If your child has influenza-like symptoms, you may give them Tylenol or Motrin to control the fever.
Keep them drinking lots of fluids. The body uses lots of its stored supply of water to help keep the fever down. Sips of clear liquids throughout the day is recommended. Popsicles made from Gatorade seem to be quite popular.
Use a cool mist humidifier to help the lungs thin secretions causing the cough.
Rest.
Whatever this strain of influenza is, I am not receiving reports of children who are critically ill.
I will keep you further posted of what is happening around our school community. Feel free to call me with questions or concerns.
Remember that if your child has had a fever, you must keep him/her home until 24 hours after the fever has subsided without the use of any fever reducing medication.
