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Swine Flu Outbreak: Protecting Your Students

The H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu is making its way across the nation. As of May 1, it has closed over 300 schools. On May 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 286 cases of the flu across 36 U.S. states, while the World Health Organization confirmed 331 cases worldwide. As the threat of an imminent pandemic becomes a reality, everyday preventative measures must be taken to ensure your health and the health of your students.

Swine flu is a unique, combination of human, pig, and bird flu viruses. Swine flu is normally a respiratory virus found in pigs. However this unique strand of virus is being spread from human to human. Swine flu is also unique in that it is infecting primarily healthy, young adults. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of other viruses and include fever, lethargy, coughing, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, and nausea. If you or your students experience any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you see your health care provider immediately.

In a classroom environment viruses and infections can spread rapidly. Taking some simple precautions can reduce the risk of spreading the flu among you and your students. Some general tips include:

• Remind younger children not to share eating utensils or to put classroom objects, such as pencils, in their mouths.
• Clean commonly-used classroom work surfaces frequently using soap and water or another disinfectant cleanser.
• Teach younger students "cough etiquette" in which they cough into their elbow or shoulder. If students cough into their hand, they should be asked to wash their hands immediately.

There are numerous preventative measures that can be taken to avoid human-to-human transmission of swine flu. The CDC has released the following set of preventative health measures:

• Stay informed. The CDC website, http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  • Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

A vaccine for swine flu does not currently exist. However government agencies and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine. While the threat of swine flu is still very imminent, it is imperative to stay informed and continue to take precautions to avoid the flu.

For more information about the H1N1 virus, visit the NBC Learn video segment, How to Protect Yourself from Swine Flu.