 | 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza
District Health Department #10
Serving the counties of: Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason,Mecosta, Missaukee, Newaygo, Oceana, and Wexford Counties |
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August 31, 2009
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SEASONAL AND NOVEL H1N1 (SWINE) FLU
Dear Parents and Caregivers:
There are two types of influenza (flu) to be concerned about this year. The first type is the seasonal flu that happens every fall and winter. The second type is the novel H1N1 influenza virus that began causing illness in people last spring and has continued to occur in Michigan and throughout the world this summer. The novel H1N1 influenza virus has caused mild to severe illness and hospitalizations in both adults and children. Because children do not have immunity to this virus, they have been most affected by it and are considered at high risk of infection. There are many things we can do to help keep our schools, our communities, and our homes flu-free.
1. Get your child and yourself vaccinated against both seasonal and H1N1 flu.
Vaccination is the best way to protect your child and family from both types of influenza.
There will be 2 different flu vaccines this fall. It is important to make sure children (and some adults) get both kinds. Seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against novel H1N1 flu.
- Seasonal flu vaccine will be available in September and novel H1N1 flu vaccine will be offered later this fall.
- CDC recommends both vaccines for all children 6 months through 18 years of age.
- Parents and other family members can be vaccinated, too. The more people who get vaccinated with both seasonal and novel H1N1 flu vaccine, the better chance we have of keeping the viruses from moving from child to child in our schools and bringing them home to your family.
- Contact your local health department or health care provider to arrange vaccination for yourself, your child, and other family members.
2. Keep your child home if he/she is sick.
Both types of flu viruses spread easily. If you suspect your child is getting or has the flu, it is important that he/she does not attend school or go anywhere else such as group childcare, the mall, or sporting events where other people would be exposed to flu germs.
3. Teach your child how to reduce the risk of getting and spreading flu viruses.
- Teach children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is best (that is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday†song twice).
- Teach children the proper use of hand sanitizer: coat all surfaces of the hands and rub until dry. Gels and hand wipes both work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol.
- Teach children to cough or sneeze into their sleeve not their hands! They should cover coughs and sneezes by coughing into the inside of their elbows.
- Teach children to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
School leaders, along with state and local health officials, are closely monitoring spread of the flu and will inform parents as soon as possible if school dismissals may occur. However, it is important to plan ahead. Have a family discussion now to decide who would care for your child if his/her school were not in session.If school is dismissed, it is important that students not gather together at other locations, but rather stay home to avoid spreading flu viruses among people.
Stay informed! Get the most up-to-date information from:
- Your local health department: District Health Department #10
- The Michigan Department of Community Health: www.michigan.gov/flu
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/flu
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