Preparations Under Way for Flu Season
(Editors Note: The Jasper County Health Department is heading up a committee to monitor and fight the flu in Jasper County. That committee will offer weekly updates to help people learn to protect themselves and their families from the swine flu as well as the seasonal flu.)
With concerns growing about the H1N1 (Swine) Flu, we need to remember the greatest tools we have to combat and reduce the effects of any flu season on our community are our own actions.
When you cough or sneeze, tiny droplets that contain the virus go from your mouth and nose to surfaces that other people touch. This spreads the flu virus very quickly. By simply taking a few precautions and getting vaccinated, we all can play a part.
It is anticipated that the vaccine will arrive in stages, and will be given to the high risk groups first (pregnant women, school children, health care workers, etc.), with the first vaccine arriving in October. While we do not have any control over the arrival of the vaccine we can follow these steps to reduce the spread of the flu virus:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to limit the amount of germs that enter your body.
• Limit your contact with crowds of people who could possibly be sick. If you must be around others that are sick, consider wearing a mask. This may protect you.
• Avoid close, personal contact (hugging, kissing, shaking hands, etc.)
• If you are sick, stay home from work, public gatherings or school.
• If someone in your household is sick take steps to prevent the spread of the virus by isolation of those affected and the use of personal protection along with proper disinfection.
• Take the proper steps to reduce dehydration. If someone has diarrhea or is vomiting, give fluids that contain electrolytes.
Call your physician if you have any of the following symptoms:
• High Fever
Children and adults: Greater than 105; Babies 3 – 24 months: Greater than 103; Babies under 3 months: Greater than 100.4
• Shaking Chills
• Coughing that produces thick dark-colored or bloody mucus
• Dehydration, noted by dry mouth or excessive thirst
• Extreme pain in your ear
• Worsening of a pre-existing medical condition (e.g., diabetes, heart or lung disease)
Our schools are one of the main contributors to the spread of influenza and have become a focal point for preventive measures.
“I know that the news about H1N1 Flu is unsettling for parents, students and educators, but I would encourage everyone to focus on preparation and prevention. Since last spring, the Georgia Department of Education has been working closely with the Georgia Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control on this issue,” states Georgia’s State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.
“We have been regularly communicating with our local school districts and providing them with guidance, best practices and the most up-to-date information we have. Additionally, we are working with state and federal officials on plans for a mass vaccination program involving schools, should that be the recommendation of the health experts.”
In Jasper County there are no plans to close schools at this time. That decision will be made only if the spread is much worse than expected; stay informed of what is happening locally. Keeping children out of school for fear of exposure is not recommended, but we are requesting that parents not send children to school sick. Dr. Princess Clarke at the Board of Education is working with all principals to get information in the hands of the parents.
If you have any concerns about your child’s safety, please contact the individual school.
For the latest and/or additional information on this or other health care issues contact the Jasper County Health Department at 706-468-6850 or on the internet at www.northcentralhealthdistrict.com/h1n1. The latest Jasper County School information is available at www.jasper.k12.ga.us