GREAT BAY– The Preventive Health Department (PHD) has received notifications from schools that some parents/guardians are not respecting the measure of keeping children who have flu-like symptoms at home from school or day care centres until they recover.
If sick children are allowed to attend school, and if they have the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) virus, they put at risk the teacher as well as the other children at school.
The PHD is requesting parents and guardians to cooperate in minimizing the spread of flu within our community.
Children who display severe flu-like symptoms and those who are admitted into hospital will be tested for the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
Children and teenagers should continue to practice cough etiquettes and good hygiene all the time even at school.
Children should know to wash their hands frequently with soap and water; cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of your elbow/sleeve; dispose of used tissue paper in the trash properly; stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
Parents and guardians are role models and should demonstrate these behaviours which are a tool to prevent the spread of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) virus within our community.
Parents and guardians should make sure your child remains healthy by giving them a lot of fluids, eating healthy and have plenty of rest. Monitor their temperature and symptoms; ensure your child’s health is in good condition.
Give your child medication prescribed by your family physician or ensure that medicines are child age appropriate. Do not give young children medicines for adults or teenagers.
The symptoms for children with Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) flu virus are similar to that of adults. The symptoms include high fever, a runny nose, cough, sore throat and body aches. At times these can be accompanies by, diarrhoea, breathlessness and dizziness. If your child displays these symptoms, don’t delay; take them to your family physician.
Persons seeking additional information should contact PHD at telephone numbers: 542-3003 or 542-3553 or visit the following websites: www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.who.int. for more information on Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) virus also referred to as swine flu.