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The beginning of the academic year is always an eventful time for Melanie Rose, communications specialist with the Central Valley School District.
This autumn, in addition to the typical inquiries about class schedules, bussing routes and lunch menus, Rose and the CVSD administration are dealing with questions about a nationwide health concern.
It was back in June, right around the time that school was dismissed for the summer, that the World Health Organization raised the global pandemic alert level for the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu.
In late August, the campus of Washington State University reported that over 1,000 students had contracted the swine flu, the highest number on any college campus in the U.S. By this month, that total had risen to 2,500.
Since classes began in the Central Valley School District earlier this month, there have been 472 absences attributed to the flu.
“We’ve never had flu sickness this soon,” Rose said. “What we’re saying is, ‘If you’re sick, go home.’ We’re being very diligent about that.”
The district sent out a letter to all parents last week describing symptoms of the flu as well as precautions that can be taken to guard against it. CVSD is working with health officials to provide updates on the situation and has formed an H1N1 task force to review and update protocol surrounding topics like school closures.
The district is providing a pamphlet for parents of kids with flu-like symptoms that includes information on caring for their children. Custodians and teachers are also regularly cleaning surfaces where germs collect such as desktops, door handles and faucets.
“It’s important to increase awareness and be prepared,” Rose said.
Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu and include a high fever (100-degrees or above), coughing, headache, chills, fatigue, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose. Rose said that throughout CVSD, reports of fever and a minimum of one other symptom are being counted as H1N1 “since we usually don’t see seasonal flu at this time of the year.”
At Barker High School this week, the absentee rate reached 21 percent. At East Valley Middle School, sports and other after school events were canceled this week due to low attendance and concerns about the flu.
At University High School, hand sanitizers are more prevalent than houseplants on the desks of teachers and in other areas throughout campus, including the dugout of the Titan softball team.
Health officials recommend that those recovering from the flu stay home for at least 24 hours after their temperature returns to a normal level.
The Spokane Regional Health District reports that it can take up to four days for symptoms to appear after someone has been exposed to the virus, meaning the flu can be spread even before the person realizes he or she is sick. The H1N1 virus spreads much like the seasonal flu – through uncovered coughing or sneezing or by contacting a surface or object with the flu virus then touching the eyes, mouth or nose as infection occurs through mucous membranes.
SRHD, along with groups like the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend a number of preventative measures as precautions against the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu.
They include:
- Frequent hand washing consisting of lathering with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds at a time.
- Using a hand sanitizer liquid and rubbing hands well until dry.
- Coughing or sneezing into elbow, upper arm or shoulder, not hands. If you use a tissue, promptly throw it away after use and wash your hands.
- Avoiding crowds.
Groups at highest risk for contracting the swine flu include pregnant women; people who live or care for infants younger than six months; those who work in the health care and emergency medical services fields; people 25 to 64 with chronic health disorders like diabetes, asthma, heart/lung disease or a compromised immune system and those between the ages of six months to 24 years.
Experts recommend that people in higher risk groups contact their doctor when flu symptoms become apparent.
Urgent medical care should be sought if symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, delirium, lips turning blue, a high fever that persists beyond three days or bloody or colored mucus or phlegm.
SRHD officials estimate that an H1N1 flu mist will arrive in Spokane by early October with the vaccine expected by the middle of the month. High-risk populations will receive priority in receiving both the mist and the vaccine. The health district anticipates shipments of the vaccine on a weekly basis resulting in an adequate supply for all residents who request it. Vaccinations for the seasonal flu are currently available at the health district office in downtown Spokane as well as local medical offices.
Want to find out more?
To learn more about how to protect yourself against H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu, call the Spokane Regional Health District at 324-1500 or visit www.srhd.org. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov.
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By
Craig Howard
