Health Services H1N1 Flu Information

Recent Updates:

Since last spring, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) has been working with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), parents, and local health officials to control and prevent the spread of seasonal and H1N1 (also referred to as “Swine”) flu. School nurses and teachers have encouraged proper
hand‐washing and sneezing. Parents and staff have been advised to stay home if sick with a fever and cough—and to keep children home if they show symptoms of the flu.

Now, in a major new step toward protecting the health of every child, DHEC is providing free vaccinations in CCSD schools.

• Letter to Parents About H1N1 Vaccinations in CCSD schools
• Carta a padres- (Letter to Parents- Spanish)
• Fact Sheet for Parents About H1N1 Vaccinations in CCSD Schools

What Information Did Charleston Public Schools Send to Parents at the Beginning of the 2009-2010 School Year?

CCSD has been continuing to take steps—while working closely with DHEC and the CDC—to make sure schools stay open, healthy and safe throughout the flu season.

• 8/21/09 letter to parents from Superintendent Dr. Nancy J. McGinley- English
• 8/21/09 letter to parents from Superintendent Dr. Nancy J. McGinley- Spanish
• 8/21/09 H1N1 Fact Sheet- English
• 8/21/09 H1N1 Fact Sheet- Spanish

What are the Signs of H1N1/Swine Flu in People?

The symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

What Can Families Do to Prevent the Spread of Flu?

• Practice good hand hygiene. This means washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing (sing the happy birthday song twice). Use alcohol based hand sanitizer if it is not possible to wash your hands.
• Practice good sneezing and coughing etiquette. This means, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder—not into your hands.
• Know what signs and symptoms to look for (fever, body aches, nausea, fatigue), and stay home when sick. Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever has gone down, and are off of any kind of fever-reducing medicine (i.e. Tylenol, Advil).
• Contact your healthcare provider. They may have further recommendations such as antiviral medications.
• Get flu shots.  Seasonal flu vaccine will be available soon and the H1N1 vaccine should be available in late October or November.
• Live healthy. Get plenty of sleep and exercise. Drink ample amounts of water. Eat a well balanced diet with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables

What Are Schools Doing to Prevent Children from Getting Sick?

In CCSD schools, teachers, administrators, and school nurses are receiving training on flu prevention protocol—symptoms to look for, good hand-washing and sneezing practice for all grade level. Principals are working hard to ensure that the entire faculty

• Encourages hand washing and cough etiquette for students and staff.
• Provides supplies for effective hand washing including soap paper towels and alcohol based hand cleaners.
• Allows time for effective hand washing.
• Supports exclusion of students and staff for Influenza Like Illness (ILI) until at least 24 hours after fever is gone (without the use of a fever reducing medication)
• Ensures proper cleaning in the school, concentrating on the clinic area.
• Provides a separate space to quarantine students with ILI until they can be picked up.
• Encourages seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
• Supports surveillance efforts.
• Monitors students for ILI.
• Stays informed.

How Can I Learn More?

For information, questions and the latest information on flu, DHEC has established a series of resources on their website. Learn what you can do to prevent the flu!

DHEC has created lists- as described in the School Exclusion Brochure and the Childcare Exclusion Brochure- that identify which illnesses a child may have and 1) with which must be kept home, 2) when they can return, and 3) when a medical note is required.

To make an appointment for a flu shot, please call DHEC at (843) 953-0090. For other questions related to flu, please call DHEC's statewide line at 1-800-277-4687.