NURSE'S NOTES: H1N1

The NH Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease Control Section and NH School Nurses are working together to do everything we can to keep children, families and staff healthy in the upcoming school year. Public health experts are concerned that H1N1 could become more serious in the fall. Nationally, steps are being taken to create a vaccine. The following is information you should know:

Everyone should know:

• Seasonal influenza is commonly seen in schools and daycares every year, but most illnesses occur in the cooler months.
• This year we have a new strain of influenza circulating called H1N1 and it has been shown to disproportionately affect school-aged children and young adults.
• H1N1 influenza causes illness very much like regular seasonal influenza. People who are ill with H1N1 can get fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. (Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea without the other symptoms is a gastrointestinal viral illness, NOT influenza.)
• Most people infected with H1N1 have recovered without the need for medical care.
• High risk groups like very young children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with underlying medical conditions such asthma, chronic lung and heart conditions, cancer, diabetes etc. should consult with a health care provider if they have symptoms of influenza.
• It is important to take measures to control the spread of infection whether or not a case of H1N1 is identified in our community.
• It is possible to be exposed to H1N1 at school, work, or anywhere in the community.
• The best way to prevent influenza is to be vaccinated against it. Although we are working with the State to possible have flu shot clinics for students at school, at this time it is best for parents to call their child's doctor about receiving the vaccine at the doctor's office.

There are measures we can all take to stop the spread of illnesses, including influenza:

• Wash your hands frequently (15-20 seconds with soap and warm water) or use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizing gels.
• Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and always throw away used tissues into a trashcan or cough into your elbow/shoulder.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses can enter your body through your mucus membranes.
• Do not share drinking/eating containers or utensils.
• Avoid contact with ill persons if possible.