Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the symptoms of H1N1?
A: Symptoms for H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal flu and include: fever greater than 100 degrees, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea are somehwat unique to H1N1.
Q: Has Adams 12 Five Star Schools had any reported cases of H1N1?
A: The Five Star District had some reported cases of "presumed" H1N1 in the fall of 2009. As the 2010-2011 school year proceeds and we get into the flu season, we anticipate seeing more cases.
Q: What happens if a student shows flu symptoms while at school?
A: Students with flu-like symptoms will be sent to the school's health office. So as to minimize any potential exposure to healthy students, ill students will remain in the health office until a parent or guardian can pick up the student. Any staff member with flu symptoms will also return home. For their protection and the protection of others, any person with flu symptoms will wear a mask while in the health office.
Q: What is the school district doing to ensure my child is safe at school?
A: Each school is educating students and staff through various means of communication on the following points:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective and recommended.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others.
Q: As a parent/guardian, what can I do to help control the spread of H1N1?
A: Monitor your student for flu symptoms. If symptoms appear, have your child remain at home until he or she has been without a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. This will help limit the spread of the disease. Your student will be sent home if they come to school with any symptoms consistent with the flu. In the event you cannot miss work while your child is ill, please make arrangements ahead of time for day care. Schools cannot keep sick children in the health room at school due to the exposure to other children and school staff.
Q: Should family members of the sick person stay home from work or schoool?
A: Not unless the family members have symptoms. Parents/guardians should monitor siblings carefully and keep them home if they show any symptoms.
Q: What kind of cleaning will be done in the schools?
A: Five Star District cleaning staff will continue to clean our schools and classrooms according to our guidelines. Our goal is to keep students healthy and safe.
Q: Will there be school closures?
A: The health department's recommendation is that schools should not close unless they cannot operate because of a shortage of staff due to illness. If there is a change in this recommendation, we will inform staff, parents and students.
Q: How can I get vaccinated?
A: Now that national shortages of the H1N1 vaccine have eased, Tri-County Health Department is encouraging everyone to get an H1N1 vaccination. And unlike the first few months of the nationwide vaccination effort which focused on those at highest risk, including children and pregnant women, individual appointments are now available, so there is no longer a need to stand in line at community clinics held in schools.
H1N1 vaccinations can be obtained free-of-charge at Tri-County Health Department offices in Aurora, Englewood, Lone Tree and Northglenn.
Appointments can be made by calling 303-363-3031.
Website: www.tchd.org/flu.htm