8/13/2009

Back-to-school flu prevention: What parents need to know

It’s back-to-school time in the Kentuckiana region, but as parents load their children on to school buses and pack each backpack and lunch, they are also being urged to take preventative actions against both types of the flu this school year. The beginning of the school season is only a few months before the typical seasonal flu season begins and only months after the novel H1N1 flu virus hit the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend both children and parents add a regular flu vaccination to the back-to-school checklist this year.

The seasonal flu vaccine will be available as early as September and the public is being encouraged to get vaccinated. A vaccine for novel H1N1is being tested and should be available in late Fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“Although the H1N1 vaccine is not available yet, there are other steps parents can take to protect yourself and your children,” said Julio C. Melo, M.D., F.A.C.P., Medical Director, Infectious Diseases.

Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare recommends following “The Three C’s” to help slow the progression of the flu viruses: clean, cover and contain.

-Clean: Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after coughing or sneezing. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

-Cover: Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or hands, then dispose of the tissue and always wash your hands afterwards.

-Contain: If you or your child has flu-like symptoms, do not go in public except to seek medical care. If a child has the symptoms, contact the school and keep him/her home until at least 24-hours after a fever has subsided or cleared by a medical professional. Avoid close contact with someone who is ill as much as possible, especially if you are at a high risk for complications from the viruses (e.g.- people 65 and older and young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems and/or preexisting medical issues such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease).

Symptoms of both flu viruses include a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, chills and headache; according to the CDC, a significant amount of people infected with the novel H1N1 virus also experienced diarrhea and vomiting. Emergency warning signs for children include: flu-like symptoms that have improved and returned with a fever and worse cough, fast breathing, not waking up or interacting, bluish or gray skin color, not drinking enough fluids, persistent vomiting and being so irritable he/she does not want to be held. Emergency warning signs for adults include: flu-like symptoms that have improved and returned with a fever and worse cough, fast breathing, persistent vomiting, confusion, sudden dizziness and pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen. Individuals with these symptoms should seek emergency medical care.

According to Dr. Melo, “What is most troublesome is that both types of influenza have similar symptoms, making the distinction between the seasonal and H1N1 very difficult. Still, preventative measures can lessen the chances of getting either virus, so it is important parents take the steps to do so and teach their children “The Three C’s,” as well.”

Other preventative recommendations from the CDC include wearing facemasks, keeping surface areas clean and disinfected, especially if someone in the household does become sick, and try to maintain good ventilation throughout the home.
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About JHSMH:
Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare (JHSMH) is a regional health network that includes more than 70 health care facilities and 1,900 patients beds in Kentucky and southern Indiana.  The merger of Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services and CARITAS Health Services to form JHSMH combines the strength and honors the heritages of the two organizations to provide a complete array of health care services to this region and beyond, including: hospitals, outpatient care, cancer care, occupational health, psychiatric care and rehab medicine.  JHSMH provides home health care to families in 41 Kentucky and southern Indiana counties and employs a network of physician practices that provide both primary and specialty medical care.  The organization employs more than 8,100 people and more than 100 physicians.