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Flu Season
is upon us-What can you do?
The Flu season is about
to begin. An estimated 5-20% of U.S. residents get the Flu each year.
The main way the influenza virus is spread is from person to person in
respiratory droplets of coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be spread
when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object
and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing hands.
The Center for Health
and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS) www.healthinschools.org
has adapted guidelines developed by both the Iowa and Vermont Departments
of Health:
Things
for schools to keep in mind
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Any employee, student,
teacher, or staff suspected of having the flu should not attend school.
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Wash hands several
times a day using soap and warm water for
15-20 seconds (this is generally around the time it takes to sing
the ABC's). Dry hands with paper towels
or automatic hand dryers if possible. In school, allow regular breaks
for the students and teachers to wash hands. Young children should
be instructed and assisted to ensure proper hand washing. Restrooms
should be checked regularly to ensure that soap and paper towels are
always available.
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The flu can be spread
from coughs or sneezes. Make sure tissues
are available in all classrooms. Students and staff should cover their
mouths when coughing and use a tissue when sneezing or blowing their
noses. Tissues should be thrown away immediately following proper
hand washing (alcohol hand gels may be used in the classrooms to minimize
disruption).
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Schools may be required
by their local health departments to report flu absences when they
reach a locally determined number. Reporting outbreaks assists in
disease surveillance and understanding the impact on the community.
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Staff and students
(especially those with medical conditions and anyone else who wants
to lower their risk of getting the flu) should get the flu shot. Remember,
it is never too late in the flu season to be vaccinated. Check with
your local health department on availability of vaccine: www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states
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Closure of individual
schools in the event of an outbreak has not proven to be an effective
way of stopping the flu but that decision should be made by the appropriate
school officials based on other considerations.
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Schools should be
extra-vigilant that ill students be excluded from sports activities,
choir or any activities that may involve close contact, since transmission
of the flu may be easier in these situations. All students and staff
should avoid sharing glasses, water bottles, drinks, spoons/forks,
etc.
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School buses, because
of the enclosed space, may allow for easy spread of the flu. Tissues
should be available on the buses, and students should be encouraged
to cover nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing. Disinfect
commonly handled interior surfaces (i.e. door handles, hand rails,
etc.) between loads of students, if possible.
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In the school,
clean commonly used surfaces such as door handles, handrails, eating
surfaces, desks, etc., frequently with disinfectant. (Bleach solutions
or commercial disinfectants are appropriate.)
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Who should get the
flu shot? Everyone. (For more information contact your health care
provider or local health department at www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states.)
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School
Health Featured Products for the Flu Season:
Item
#90-556-B4 School Hand Hygiene Program - The B4 School Hand Hygiene Program™
is a comprehensive initiative to provide hand hygiene education and resources
for schools in a unique multimedia experience. The objectives are to reduce
the risk of illness in students, teachers, and parents, and to improve
academic achievement through better health. This program was developed
in conjunction with an RN consultant certified in infection control with
ten years experience in infection control and hospital epidemiology. A
teaching curriculum is provided as well as CDC, OSHA and APIC Hand Hygiene
Guidelines.
School Health Website product Education page, click below:
Before School
Hand Hygiene Program
Item #34-331-Avant Instant Hand Sanitizer - Avant
Original™ Instant Hand Sanitizer is clinically proven
to gently, yet effectively kill 99.99% of common germs that may cause
illness in as little as 15 seconds without soap or water. Avant Original™
has been dermatologist tested to not irritate skin even when used frequently.
The active ingredient in Avant Original™ Instant Hand Sanitizer is
60% ethanol, considered by the FDA to be the best immediate germ-killing
agent. Avant Original™ also contains two moisturizers and two skin
conditioners, Vitamin A and Vitamin E, to moisturize and condition skin.
Avant Original has undergone in vitro and in vivo efficacy testing by
an independent laboratory. The product was shown to effectively kill 99.99%
of a broad spectrum of gram positive and gram negative organisms within
15 seconds. A dime-sized amount of Avant Original is all that is needed!
If your school
only puts the product in the 46 oz. lockable dispenser in the lunch
line for a single daily use the cost per student for a 180 day school
year is less than $1.00 per student--YES!!! $1 (one) dollar a year
per student.
Articles:
Campaign Cuts School Absences by 40%: Cedar Rapids Gazette
http://www.gazetteonline.com/article.aspx?art_id=82977
Hand Sanitizer Help School Attendance: KCRG TV News
http://www.kcrg.com/article.aspx?art_id=77450&cat_id=123#
Flu Prevention Program: KCRG TV News
http://www.kcrg.com/article.aspx?art_id=82356&cat_id=123
School Health Website product Education page, click below:
Avant Original
Hand Sanitizer
Item #90-496 - QuickVue Influenza Test
- Immunoassay for the detection of influenza type A and type B from nasal
swab or aspirate/nasal wash specimen.
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Results in 10 minutes
or less.
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1 step (nasal wash/aspirate),
3 steps (nasal swab) with only one reagent.
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Less than 30 seconds
hands-on time.
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Detects both type
A and type B antigens.
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High specificity
for ruling out influenza.
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Not affected by
seasonal variations of influenza strains.
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Control set included.
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CLIA waived-
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For information on CLIA
waived certification read, CLIA-Waived
Tests and the School Health Practitioner
School Health Website product Education page, click below:
QuickVue Influenza
Test
Flu
Season Supply QuikList
| Item
# |
Product
|
Description |
| 44278 |
Cold-Eeze |
Cold
drops made from zinc Gluconate Glycine which reduces the duration
of the common cold. |
| 90492 |
Hand
Washing Kit |
Hand
Sanitizers, hand washing poster, dial soap and dispenser, Infection
Control Reference Book, Glo-Germ, hand washing video and School Health
Catalog cover poster. |
| 34331 |
Avant
Hand Sanitizer |
Waterless
hand sanitizer which kills 99% of harmful bacteria within 15 seconds.
|
| 90556 |
B4
School CD |
The
program provides hand sanitizers in schools, Hand Hygiene Program
training to faculty and administrators, Compliance and utilization
reporting to Administrators and state agencies. |
| 50046 |
Cavicide |
The
most effective , multipurpose, broad spectrum disinfectant. Use on
surfaces in bus or school. |
| 49029 |
Dispatch |
Cleaning
Towels with Bleach |
| 34321 |
Dial
Foaming Soap |
7
½ fluid oz. Pump bottle |
| 21256 |
VIVA
Paper Towels
|
|
| 90482 |
Clean-up
Caddy |
All
your clean-up supplies to clean and disinfect in handy carry-all. |
| 44051
|
Voban
Vomit Absorbent |
Vomit
absorbent with enzymes to attack and Absorbent break down the source
of odors. |
| 21087 |
Opaque
Convenience Bag |
Seal
proof bag for vomit and urine disposal. |
| 90257 |
Sharps
Container |
Self-closing
and non-spill container that fits in drawer or nurse bag. |
| 44251 |
Contac
Cold and Flu |
24
caplets per box Caplets |
| 44002 |
Hall's
Cough Drops |
30
cherry flavored cough drops |
| 21005 |
Kleenex
Tissues |
By
the case, best buy |
| 11228 |
Germs,
Germs, Germs |
A
book ideal for children ages 6 to 8 which makes learning about germs
fun. |
| 11140 |
Germs
Make Me Sick |
This
fun children's book provides information about bacteria and viruses
and how the body protects itself from these germs. |
| 11067 |
The
26th Edition Red Book |
Developed by the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Provides guidelines
for school nurses and physicians.
|
| 90496 |
QuickVue
Influenza Test |
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Additional
Flu related information and links:
How to tell the difference between a cold and flu. [Spanish version] http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cold/sick.pdf
Health Matters: Flu. From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/flu.htm
Influenza: The Disease. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluinfo.htm
Influenza information in Other languages
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/languages.htm
American Lung Association Information:
(Flu)Influenza: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35426
2003-2004 Flu Update: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35435
New website that provides information about testing, treatment and a link
to CDC influenza surveillance information
http://www.flutest.com/
Flu and Cold Guidelines:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=23161
Vermont Influenza
(The Flu) Recommendations for Schools
Iowa School
Guidelines
*****ALSO*****
Have you seen the
latest Health in Schools Back-to-School Basics Fall 2004 Issue with links
to some key pages as well as an order form for a free 2004-2005 calendar.
http://www.healthinschools.org/sh/backtoschool.asp
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