December 2009 update
ASD will follow CDC and Municipality of Anchorage Dept. of Health and Human Services guidelines regarding the H1N1 virus.
Vaccinations
- General Q&A on 2009 H1N1 vaccine safety (CDC)
ASD is offering the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine to all students. The vaccine is not mandatory and will only be administered to students who have a permission slip (see above) signed by their parent or guardian. There is no cost for the vaccine.
- All elementary schools will hold a second vaccination clinic to provide a necessary second dose to students under the age of 10. If your elementary-age child missed the original clinic day at school, he or she may receive an H1N1 vaccination when the clinic returns to the school.
- For reasons of privacy and clinic efficiency, parents and visitors may not attend the vaccination clinics.
Questions or concerns? Contact:
- Your school nurse
- Nancy Edtl, 742-4136
ASD Director of Nursing & Health Services
- Colleen Drake Wilke, 343-4767
Public Health Nurse
- Dr. Bruce Chandler, 343-6723
Medical Officer, DHHS
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Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal human flu and include:
fever • cough • sore throat • chills • runny or stuffy nose • headache • fatigue • body aches
Some persons also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most cases in Anchorage and elsewhere have been mild, like we see with seasonal influenza. However, as with seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death have occurred. Is it a cold or the flu?
When to stay home
To reduce transmission of the virus in schools and the community, students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school, after-school activities, or go into the community except to seek medical care until they are feeling better and without fever for at least 24 hours.
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Take these three simple measures:
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Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
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Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner
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Stay home if you are sick - it
can greatly help prevent the spread of influenza (and many other germs)
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Students should always stay home when they have the following symptoms:
- Fever above 100° F
- heavy nasal congestion
- Frequent cough
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blistery rash
- If your child is diagnosed with a contagious illness
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