Public health officials within the United States and throughout the world are investigating outbreaks of H1N1 flu.

H1N1 flu is a respiratory illness. Public health officials have determined that this strain of H1N1 flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to symptoms of seasonal flu and may include:
Fever, Sore Throat, Cough, Stuffy Nose, Chills, Headache and Body Aches, and Fatigue.

Some people have reported vomiting and diarrhea. Severe illness with breathing difficulty has been reported. Please see your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms especially difficulty breathing.

To Prevent Flu Transmission:
Avoid contact with ill persons.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue away in the trash after using. Cough or sneeze into your arm sleeve if you have no tissues.
Wash you hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when no soap or water is available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

Prevention is the best strategy in combating any infection, including the H1N1 flu. Please remind your children of the importance of good hand washing and other preventative measures.

Call your school nurse if further questions.

For more information, visit www.flu.gov

Talking to Children about Swine Flu guidance from NASN, NASP and PTA: http://www.nasn.org/Portals/0/resources/2009_05_01_talking_with_children_about_flu.pdf