When should we send a student or staff member to the doctor?

Q: When should we send a student or staff member to the doctor?

A: Any individual with flu-like symptoms—fever above 37.8oC or 100oF accompanied by cough or

sore throat—should stay home or be sent home if they become ill at school. They may be

referred to a health professional if their symptoms worsen.

Q: What should we do if we have no cases in our community?

A: CDC recommends that schools and childcare facilities in unaffected areas begin developing or

reviewing their all-hazards plans, which should include considerations of infectious disease

outbreaks, including a potential future resurgence of H1N1 or other viruses. Many districts have

developed pandemic plans as part of their all-hazards planning efforts and are encouraged to

review those plans. If plans have not been developed, information on getting started can be found

at: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html,

http://rems.ed.gov, and www.pandemicflu.gov.

Schools and IHEs should always promote good hand-washing and hygiene practices, including

cough and sneezing etiquette and ensuring that tissues are disposed of after usage. Schools

should also regularly be sure to clean and disinfect any frequently touched surfaces, following

directions on manufacturer’s labels, particularly if students or faculty become ill at school. More

information on preventing the spread of influenza can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/.

Q: What steps should school leadership take when there is a confirmed or probable case

of H1N1 flu among students or staff on campus?

A: School leadership need not close schools for a suspected or probable case of H1N1.

However, schools should continue good health and hygiene practices around cleaning and

disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in the school environment, encouraging sick student and

staff to stay home, and actively encouraging good hand washing practices. It is also important to

communicate with your faculty, students, and families.

Q: What should school leaders do if a sibling of one of their students has a confirmed

case of the H1N1 flu (specifically, a sibling that attends another school)?

A: The current CDC guidance recommends that schools need not close to prevent the spread of

disease.

Q: Should we call this H1N1 flu or “swine flu”?

A: H1N1 is the name of this particular strain of influenza. Influenza strains often originate with

animals and get transmitted to humans. At this point in the progression of this strain, though,

transmission appears to be entirely from human to human. Although it appears to have originated

with pigs, then to have passed to humans working around pigs, the virus has combined with

components of other types of influenza, including avian and human strains of the virus, to create

this particular strain that appears to be easily passed from human to human, which is a concern.

The H1N1 virus is not transmitted by food. You cannot get this influenza from eating pork or pork

products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

Q: Should we buy special products, like antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer?

A: Schools should always maintain adequate stock of personal hygiene products, including soap.

There is no need to purchase special anti-bacterial soap, as regular soap and warm water are

sufficient cleansers. Schools may consider purchasing alcohol-based hand gel, which can be

used if there is no visible dirt on hands, as long as the gel is alcohol-based. Schools should

consider the necessity of providing students adequate time to wash hands during the day,

particularly before mealtimes.

SCHOOL CLOSURE

U.S. Department of Education