1. Should my child come to school if he/she has any flu-like symptoms?
No, if your child is ill prior to coming to campus he/she should remain home. If your child has a fever he/she should remain home for 24 hours after the fever subsides
2. Will the school close down if there is an H1N1 influenza outbreak?
At this point the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) do not recommend schools closing.
3. Will my child be sent home if he/she is diagnosed with H1N1?
Our Health Center is equipped to provide care for ill students; however, there may be times when the child could benefit from being home. Those who live close to school would be offered the opportunity to pick up his/her child. We would avoid having confirmed H1N1 students from traveling on mass transit due to public health and safety.
4. How many sick students can the Health Center care for?
The Health Center has 12 beds with space for cots up to a total of about 20-25 students.
5. What measures is the school taking to help prevent or control the spread of the H1N1 virus?
Our Health Center will provide education regarding hygiene, such as hand washing and covering your cough and/or sneeze which are still the best methods to reduce the spread of germs. Our classrooms will be armed with sanitizers for hands and surface areas and all of our staff will be alert to the symptoms of H1N1 and direct students to the Health Center for evaluation.
6. What can my child do to reduce his/her risk of getting H1N1?
a. Cover his/her nose and mouth with a tissue when he/she cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
b. Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective if soap and water aren’t available.
c. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
d. Stay home or report to the health center if he/she gets sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Boarding students should be isolated in the Health Center.
7. Will the yearly flu shot prevent H1N1?
No. The annual flu shot consists of protection against two strains of influenza A & one strain of influenza B.
8. Why should my child receive the yearly flu shot?
According to the CDC: Every year in the United States, on average:
• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
• About 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
9. Will the school have the seasonal flu vaccine available?
Yes. The permission form is available on our website here. If you haven’t already sent the Health Center a permission form for seasonal flu you may print and fax (610-705-1765) or print and mail the completed form to the Health Center.
10. Will the school have the H1N1 vaccine available?
Our Health Center has applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to participate in the H1N1 influenza vaccination program. If vaccine becomes available to our Health Center we will contact parents regarding details.