Area schools alert parents about H1N1 virus

Luke Klink

The Flambeau School District and Our Lady of Sorrows school have sent letters home with students to provide information about preventing the flu.

One of the notes said there has been one confirmed case of H1N1 (Swine) Flu at OLS. The letters include recommendations about what to do when your child is sick and when to seek medical care.

“We are taking the necessary precautions that are being advised,” OLS Principal Tammy Stewart said.

The H1N1 virus is not reportable in Wisconsin unless the patient is hospitalized or dies, according to Rusk County Health Officer Kayo Nash. She also said health care providers are encouraged to report any confirmed or probable cases involving children or pregnant women.

“At this point in time, most of the flu viruses circulating are H1N1, however,” Nash said.

The Medford Area School District canceled school and all school activities there for the remainder of the week, starting with the dismissal of school Tuesday afternoon, citing a “high number of student absenteeism because of the H1N1 virus.”

Nash added flu-like symptoms do not necessarily mean a person has the H1N1 virus. The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu are similar to seasonal flu (fever, coughing, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headaches/body aches, chills, fatigue), but may include additional symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

Nash strongly recommends vaccination for H1N1, but noted a short supply is now being reserved for target groups. She added enough H1N1 vaccine will be available for everyone by the end of November.

There have been an increased amount of students from Flambeau with flu-like symptoms seeking medical care at the clinic. Dr. Rebecca Allen, pediatrician from the Marshfield Clinic-Ladysmith Center, provided this information about the flu:

Do you have the flu?

The signs and symptoms of flu (influenza) include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and feeling tired.

What should you do?

Most people who have the flu do not need to go to the doctor. They recover without medical care.

Stay home and avoid contact with other people.

Get plenty of rest. Drink clear fluids such as water or broth.

Children 5 years of age and older and teenagers with the flu can take medicines without aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) to relieve symptoms.

Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu. Check the ingredients on over-the-counter flu and cold medicine to see if they have aspirin.

Do not return to work or send children to school until there is no sign of fever (100 degrees F.) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

When to seek medical care?

Get medical care right away if the sick person at home shows signs of:

— Fast breathing or trouble

breathing.

— Bluish or gray skin color.

— Confusion or dizziness.

— Not drinking enough fluids.

— Severe or persistent vomiting.

— Not waking up or interacting.

— Being so irritable the child does

not want to be held.

— Flu-like symptoms improve but

then come back with fever and worse cough.