Interim Recommendations for Prevention of Swine Flu: K-12 Schools
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School dismissal is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that inteferes with the school's ability to function.
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Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if the symptoms resolve sooner.
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Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7 days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
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Students, faculty and staff who appear to have influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during the day should be isolated promptly in a separate room from other students and sent home.
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Aspirin or aspirin containing products should not be administered to any confirmed or suspected ill case of novel H1N1 influenza virus infection aged 18 years old and younger due to risk of Reye syndrome. Refer to pediatric medical management for guidance regarding use of any medications, especially those containing aspirin. (
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinicians/)
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Parents and guardians should monitor their school aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms for influenza-like illness.
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Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in other neighborhood and community settings outside of school.
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School administrator's should communicate regularly with local public health officials to obtain guidance about reporting of influenza-like illnesses in the school.
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Schools can help serve as a focus for educational activities aimed at promoting ways to reduce the spread of influenza, including hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
Students, faculty and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing and sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn't available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible.
Swine Influenza and You
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but
human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread
from person‐to‐person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained
beyond three people.
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A
(H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas.
Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have
been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu
infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this
situation.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is
spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the
virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine 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 swine flu. In the past,
severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with
swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of
underlying chronic medical conditions.
How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same
way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person
through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become
infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or
nose.
How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop
and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass
on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get
plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat
nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or
prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are
prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu
viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your
illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu
complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick
(within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious
as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.
Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer
periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with
germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or
sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person
touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then
touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like
cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the
chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. 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:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol‐based hand cleaners are also effective.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
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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 is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to
work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the
waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your
hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water.
or clean with alcohol‐based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your
hands ‐‐ with soap and warm water ‐‐ that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap
and water are not available, alcohol‐based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may
be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your
hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the
germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with
influenza‐like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea,
or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly
if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine
whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as
possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency
medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
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Fast breathing or trouble breathing
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Bluish skin color
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Not drinking enough fluids
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Not waking up or not interacting
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Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
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Flu‐like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
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Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
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Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
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Sudden dizziness
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Confusion
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Severe or persistent vomiting
How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between
2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no
deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a
previously healthy 32‐year‐old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for
pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu
outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with
serious illness in several people and one death.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from
eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.