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Information for Parents about Flu
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued the following information for parents about influenza:
Influenza (flu), including the pandemic H1N1 kind, is expected to spread in Massachusetts this fall and winter. It can be prevented with a vaccine (shot or nasal spray). What can I do to keep my child from getting sick?
- Get your child vaccinated
(the flu shot or nasal spray). Vaccination is the best way to keep your child from getting the flu. This year's vaccine protects against both the pandemic H1N1 influenza and two other kinds of flu. Your child needs to be vaccinated this year, even if vaccinated last year.
Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is ideal (about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Teach your children to use hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Watch young children using gels so they don't swallow it. Teach your children to cough or sneeze into their elbow - not their hands! They should wash their hands after blowing their nose or coughing into a tissue. Teach your children to avoid touching their nose, mouth or eyes. They should keep their hands away from their face. What should I do if my child is sick?
- Keep your child home. It is very important that your child does not go to school or other places where they could spread the flu to other people.
- Call your doctor's office and let them know your child's symptoms.
- Call your child's school to notify them that your child is sick, and tell the school nurse if your child has flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or sore throat.
- Do not give your child or teenager (18 years of age or younger) aspirin or aspirin-containing products due to the rare but serious illness called Reye Syndrome.
How long should I keep my child at home?
- All individuals with flu symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without using fever-reducing medicines. For most children, this will be about 4 days. Use the Flu Symptom Checklist for Families and Schools as a guide. Schools are not allowed to accept a doctor's note recommending a child with flu-like symptoms return to school before the time period described above.
Is it safe (as far as flu is concerned) for my child to participate in sports?
- Just like going to school, students should continue to play sports as long as they are not sick and do not have flu symptoms. Students should avoid sharing water bottles, sharing drinks, or sharing mouthpieces, which could result in transmission of flu and other illnesses.
Will my child's school be closed if there is a case of flu?
- School and public health officials will be focused on preventing the spread of flu in schools so that schools can stay open. They will closely follow the situation and will inform you in the unlikely event that your child's schol is closed. However, it is important to plan ahead. Talk to your family now to decide who would care for your child if school is closed. When school is closed, it is important that students not gather together at another place. They should stay home to avoid spreading the flu to other people.
What precautions are being being taken at schools?
- School nurses and teachers will teach students about hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.
- School faculty and staff will also stay home when sick with flu symptoms, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and wash their hands often.
- School nurses will keep track of students who are sick with flu-like symptoms, so they can quickly identify flu in the school.
- Schools are cleaned regularly, especially where germs can spread, such as water fountains.
- School nurses work closely with local and state public health authorities.
- Scom schools and local boards of health are planning for school located flu vaccination clinics to help protect students against the flu.
Where can I get more information?
- Call your doctor, nurse or clinic, or your local board of health.
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health web site at www.mass.gov/flu
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/flu
For flu clinic, visit the MassPRO Public Flu Clinic Finder web site at http://flu.masspro.org/ or call (617) 983-6800.
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