What Do We Need to Know about H1N1 Influenza?

September 2009

H1N1 Influenza A

• Identified in the United States in April 2009

• First cases assessed by a school nurse!

• Our schools will feel an impact from this pandemic flu this school year

• What do we need to know?

So much information!

• There is so much information available– Media– Health organizations– Health professionals– Relatives and friends

• How do we know what information is valid?

Quality Information for Schools

• New York State Education Department

• New York State Department of Health• Centers for Disease Control• US Department of Health and Human

Services – Flu.gov • World Health Organization• Your school nurse!

What Do I Need to Know NOW?

• H1N1 Influenza A is a newly identified flu

• Vaccine is expected to be available this Fall

• Children are being affected by this flu outbreak

• Schools are large group settings that can spread the flu quickly

• H1N1 Influenza isn’t a more severe flu – it’s just a new strain– Spreads easily

• So far the cases of influenza have been mild– Complications have occurred in people

with a chronic health condition AND a case of this flu

What Do I Need to Know NOW?

What Are the Signs of H1N1 Flu?

• Fever of 100°F (37.8° C) or greater• Cough• Runny Nose• Sore Throat

What do I do if I have signs of H1N1 Flu?

• If you begin to feel sick at school, talk to the nurse

• If you have symptoms at home – stay home!

• How long should you stay home?– Until at least 24 hours after they are

free of fever (100°F (37.8° C) or greater) or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Can We Prevent H1N1 Flu?

• The best prevention is:• Wash hands often with soap and water,

especially after coughing or sneezing• Use alcohol based hand sanitizers to clean

hands if soap and water are not available• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue

when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue in the trash after use (if no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve—not your hand)

Questions?

• See your school nurse!• Check out reliable resources on the

Internet – – New York Statewide School Health

Services Center website:– www.schoolhealthservicesny.com– H1N1 Flu link on main navigational bar