Flu information sent home to parents

The following letter will be sent home with students today:

Dear Parent/Guardian:

In the past week there has been extensive news coverage on the flu outbreak in Michigan and across the country. The district continues to work closely with the Lapeer County Health Department and I want to make you aware of what we are seeing here in Lapeer. Today we were notified that we do have an elementary student who is a confirmed case of H1N1.

While we have noted an increase in daily absences, the numbers remain well within the range that allows us to keep school buildings open. The health department reports that closing schools for short periods has done little to reduce the spread of the virus. According to the health department, almost all the cases reported have been relatively mild in nature and not unlike a normal flu season. In rare cases the flu does become serious. In most of these cases there have been other underlying health conditions, such as Asthma. If your child exhibits signs of the flu and has other underlying health conditions, you should consult with your doctor for advice.

Our custodians and staff have regularly been using disinfectants and other measures designed to prevent, as much as possible, the spread of the flu virus.

We continue to urge our staff and students to frequently wash hands, use hand sanitizers, and cough and sneeze in a way that minimizes the spread of the virus. It is important that students exhibiting signs of the flu, such as acute respiratory illness, a fever greater than 100 degrees and a cough or sore throat be kept home from school. Other symptoms may include a runny nose, overly tired, loss of appetite and in rare occasions, vomiting and diarrhea.

As we notified the public on August 20th, we have been asked by the Lapeer County Health Department to ask specific questions of parents when a student is called in absent due to illness. Students should not return to school until they have gone 24 hours without a fever and without taking any fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol (Do not give aspirin to children).

When you call to report a child’s absence you will be asked the following questions:

· Does the child have a fever? How high?
· Is the child sick to their stomach, in the bathroom a lot?
· Is the child congested, achy, feeling and acting droopy or sick?
· Has the child been around others with the same symptoms?

Sincerely,


Debbie Thompson
Superintendent

Important information for parents, students and staff about the H1N1 virus

Due to concerns over a possible nationwide outbreak of the H1N1 virus, Lapeer Community Schools has been asked by the Lapeer County Health Department to more closely track the reasons for student absences this year.

According the LCHD, influenza, or the ‘flu,’ is often misdiagnosed. For example, there is no such disease as “stomach flu.” Illnesses involving no appetite, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea is most likely gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach caused by a variety of viruses, or less commonly, bacteria.

“True flu,” is a disease that begins in the upper respiratory system, similar to a cold, with fever, body aches and pains. The disease moves quickly down the chest where it becomes bronchitis or pneumonia. A “true flu” lasts about 7 to 10 days and makes a person feel miserable.

There can be nausea, vomiting and diarrhea from the flu in infants and small children caused by mucous draining down the backs of their throats into the stomach.

As a result of the LCHD memo, parents should be alerted to a series of questions we have been asked to inquire about when a child calls in sick so the LCHD can track the disease.

· Does the child have a fever? How high?
· Is the child sick to their stomach, in the bathroom a lot?
· Are they congested, achy, feeling and acting droopy or sick?
· Have they been around others with the same symptoms?
The LCHD has also asked that students not return to school until they have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking any Tylenol or other fever-reducing medicine.
There are common sense ways to help prevent the spread of the disease:— Cover your mouth and nose, preferably with a tissue, when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of the tissue after its use.— Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.— Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to help prevent the spread of germs.

Channel 12 did a story on the situation on August 21st.