The Health Office

 

H1N1 status at the Junior High

 

Delays in the national production of the H1N1 vaccine means that only a limited amount of vaccines are available. While many school clinics had to be postponed, as of today the Junior High clinic is still on for December 2nd.

Many parents are concerned about the current H1N1 status at our school.  The health office is seeing the usual amount of students and our daily student and staff absences do not reflect an increased level of illness at this time. I am mainly seeing students with sore throats without fever and stomachaches.

            In order for us to minimize the occurrence of the flu, we will be implementing the following guidelines:

 

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu: Fever of 100degrees F or greater with a cough or sore throat, runny nose, headaches and body aches. Students should stay home and not attend school for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever. This measure is not only to prevent the spread of their illness but also to protect them from contracting other illnesses at school.

Do not send student to school if they are sick: If your child experiences flu-like symptoms, parents will be called to take their child home. Healthy Junior High students are allowed to come to school even if they have siblings who are sick with the flu.

Students returning to school after experiencing flu-like symptoms must meet with the school nurse. This will allow me to assess their current level of health and determine if the student is healthy enough to return to school.

 

Remember these effective steps to help minimize the spread of the flu:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue. Cough/ sneeze into your shirt sleeve.

Wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Do not share personal items such as drinks, food, utensils, pencils, etc. Germs are easily spread through the sharing of objects.

 

Here at the Junior High school, we will continue to minimize the spread of germs by maintaining surfaces clean and monitoring our students for safe health habits practices.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns. We will continue to update you as necessary. For further information you may refer to the following website: www.flu.gov

 

Josee Brandstetter RN

School Nurse