WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Brenda Madera, R.N., School Nurse Coordinator, Office of Medical and Health Services, White Plains City School District. August 24, 2009: We are sure you are all aware that people are still becoming ill from the H1N1 flu strain. No one quite knows what to expect in the upcoming flu season so we wanted to remind you of a few things that will help keep the virus from spreading over the summer and when the students return to school in September. The following are recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizers correctly if soap and water aren't available. Children should be taught to wash their hands long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
* Avoid people who are ill. If someone in your home becomes ill, limit caregivers to one or two people. This spread of the virus slows down significantly when sick people are kept away from others.
* Contact your child's and/or your doctor if symptoms are severe such as shortness of breath, disorientation, skin/lips becomes bluish, fever that doesn't respond to medication or the person does not seem to be getting any better. Anyone with an underlying illness like asthma should see their doctor if they become ill.
* Stay home from work or school if you are sick. Children should not be sent back to school until they are symptom free without medication for 24 hours. If students are still sick, they will be sent back home. Please pick up your child in a timely manner so they don't expose others to their germs in the nurse's office.
* Use tissues when you cough or sneeze or do it in the crook of your arm. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands.
* Keep hands away from your face. Avoid touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
* Clean shared space and items like phone receivers and keyboards more often.
* Don't share items like forks, spoons, tooth brushes and towels.
Please help us keep everyone healthy by following the guidelines above. We are in constant contact with the Department of Health for updates on the virus and will share any information that we think might be helpful to you in the future.
