Community Relations

Flu Prevention & Planning

Updated October 21, 2009

The Charlottesville City School Division has a plan for dealing with illness outbreaks, which was reviewed and revised in collaboration with other community experts. We are following our plan to prevent the spread of an outbreak should it be needed. We are offering vaccination clinics in schools for CCS students, as directed by Thomas Jefferson Health District officials. Complete information and forms are here.

The H1N1 flu virus is active throughout the U.S., including our region. In most cases, those infected with H1N1 influenza have experienced symptoms and recovery similar to other strains of the flu. We are taking the threat of outbreak very seriously and we are doing everything possible to protect the health of our students and limit the spread of infections. We have posted reminders about common sanitary practices in all of our buildings, stocked sanitary supplies, and our staff is taking extra cleaning precautions.

The Thomas Jefferson Health District will be the lead agency in coordinating the local health and medical response to a pandemic with State, Federal, and local agencies and officials. Our administrators and school nurses routinely work with TJHD leaders to monitor trends and determine when specific responses may be required. We coordinate public information efforts with their staff as well as with other community officials, school divisions, and area hospitals. In September, they shared the following updates in printable PDF form:

The health and well-being of our students is our top priority. You can support our efforts by practicing good health habits at home and keeping your child home if she or he is ill. Not everyone with flu-like illness has H1N1 influenza, but it is one possible cause.

"H1N1 for Parents" Video

The Virginia Department of Education, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health, has produced a brief video to inform parents and educators of the steps they can take to prevent the spread of H1N1 A and seasonal influenza in schools.

View the video.
(18 MB; length 3:05; requires Flash Player)

Flu Vaccines

This year two different flu vaccines are recommended, one effective against seasonal flu strains and one effective against the novel H1N1 virus. Everyone is encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available. Initial doses of the 2009 novel H1N1 vaccine are expected to be available by mid-October. The health department is working with community partners to find ways to make the vaccine available as quickly as possible once it is released.

Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/swineflu for reliable, up-to-date information.

The Virginia Department of Health website is www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you or your child is ill...

Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to symptoms of seasonal flu and include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Some people report vomiting and/or diarrhea. If you are sick, stay home from work or school. Limit contact with others so they don’t get sick.

Drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of rest. Don't drink alcohol or smoke. Children and adults who develop a fever of at least 100°F and a cough or sore throat should call their doctor, especially if they are at higher risk of complications from influenza.

Use ibuprofen (Advil™ or Motrin®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol™) or other measures, as recommended by your healthcare provider, for fever, sore throat and general discomfort. Do not use aspirin in children or teenagers because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness. Your doctor may recommend flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat the flu.

Individuals with a fever should stay at home until they have been without a fever for at least 24 hours and no longer feel sick (headache, chills, muscle aches, etc.) Note that some fever-reducing medications may give a false sense of being "cured," as a fever may go down after taking them. Time will tell you if the illness is truly gone.

Resources

Stay at Home Toolkit for Influenza--A comprehensive 36-page booklet that describes how to prevent infection, how to care for someone who is sick, and when to return to work or school.

Stop the Spread of Germs--A 1-page postable document about prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.