From The Desk of
Division Director, Mary Jane DiPaolo
With vaccines in short supply, here's what you can do to minimize
your family's risk of getting the flu -- and how to recognize the symptoms.
Section I of this article
contains information that can be distributed to parents.
Section II contains
suggestions to increase vigilance in your child care setting.
SECTION I – for distribution to parents
Prevention
Influenza -- a
respiratory illness caused by several strains of viruses -- is spread through
airborne droplets when an infected person coughs sneezes or even speaks.
Touching a surface previously touched by an infected person, then touching your
nose or mouth, can also spread the virus. Minimize your children's risks by
teaching them to:
ü Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
A person with the flu is contagious from a day before developing symptoms to
a week or more after getting sick.
-
Stay
home when they're sick to prevent others from being exposed to their germs and
to give themselves a chance to recover.
-
Cover
their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and cough into
elbow
-
Wash
their hands often, especially after blowing their nose, using the toilet,
before eating and after being exposed to anyone who is sick.
-
Avoid touching
their face. The flu virus is often spread when a person touches something
that's contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
ü The flu vaccine is another way one way to
prevent the flu; talk to your child's healthcare provider to find out if
vaccination is right for your child.
Symptoms
Flu symptoms
include:
ü Fever
ü Headache
ü Fatigue
ü Muscle aches
ü Dry cough
ü Sore throat
ü Runny or stuffy nose
ü Children may experience nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea, which are less common in adults.
Treatment
If your child
develops the flu, make sure he gets plenty of rest and fluids. You can give
your children medications (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) for the fever and
aches) to relieve flu symptoms. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who
have flu-like symptoms -- and particularly fever -- as it can cause Reye
syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening complication.
Complications
Some people are
at an increased risk of complications from the flu. Those include pregnant
women, children between 6 months and 23 months of age, people with chronic
medical conditions and the elderly. Complications may include sinus problems
and ear infections in children, dehydration, bacterial pneumonia and worsening
of other medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes. If your child is at
special risk from flu complications, you should consult your healthcare
provider when the symptoms begin. Your doctor may choose to use certain prescription
antiviral drugs to treat the flu.
Section
II --The Child Care
Community may increase awareness of the following during this season:
Preventing the Spread of
Germs
ü
Wash
hands properly and frequently.
ü
Clean
and sanitize your program.
ü
Keep
air fresh.
ü
Allow
space between cots, cribs and furniture.
All Staff and Children Should
Wash Their Hands After
ü
Diapering
and toileting
ü
Handling
bodily fluids
ü
Cleaning
ü
Blowing
your nose
ü
Playing
outside
ü
Handling
pets or other animals
ü
Handling
uncooked foods
ü
Handling
garbage
ü
Tending
to someone sick or injured
ü
Playing
with a water table
Cleaning, Sanitizing and
Disinfecting
ü
Cleaning
removes visible dirt and grime with soap and water.
ü
Sanitizing
reduces the number of germs to a safe level.
ü
Disinfecting
destroys harmful bacteria
-
Schedules
should be designated to appropriate staff.
-
Never
have children responsible for sanitizing and disinfecting.
-
Prepare
a written schedule.
-
Perform
tasks as appropriate.
Sanitizing Toys
ü
Submerge
toy in warm, soapy water and scrub inside crevices.
ü
Rinse
toys in clean water
ü
Dip
toy in sanitizing strength solution and allow to soak
for 10 -20 minutes.
ü
Remove
toys from solution, rinse well, and allow toy to air dry.
ü
Hint: Wearing gloves when
sanitizing or disinfecting will help protect your hands
Disinfecting Your Program
ü
Bathrooms
ü
Diapering
areas
ü
Toys
and equipment
ü
Water
play tables
ü
All
other surfaces
Fresh Air
ü
Comfortable
temperature.
ü
Open
windows every day.
ü
Humidifier
or air vaporizer (cold only).
ü
Maintain
heating and cooling systems.
ü
Avoid
strong odors.
ü
Prohibit
cigarette smoking.
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Child Health Consultants are available to
assist you. |
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