Daniel L. Bamberg
reporter
“It is not as bad as the seasonal flu, from what we’ve seen. It seems to be a milder version,” said Barbara Terry in regards to recent H1N1 or “swine flu” cases. Barbara is a Registered Nurse and lead school nurse for Bibb County Schools. Many professionals disregarded the “swine flu” earlier this year as media hype. One even called it a “desperate attempt” to raise television news ratings in a typically decreased viewing season. It generated enough buzz for jokes, analogical statements, health care advocacy, and even political talk. The statistics, which ultimately came from the first outbreak, seemed incomparable to the more devastating seasonal influenza.
Fortunately Alabama schools have not taken H1N1 with a grain of salt. They educated and prepared themselves and the results are proving positive. According to Terry there have been a few cases in all of our schools, but the only great concern has been for those who are immune system compromised. As for the majority of persons or students who have contracted the virus they are usually good to return to school within a few days, at worst. “When they are off fever reducing medicine for 24 hours and remain without fever they can return to school. The one thing we have to consider is while this seems to be milder than regular flu it is more contagious. This is why we (Bibb County Schools) are taking every precaution necessary. If a student comes to us demonstrating symptoms we give that student and mask and isolate them. The desktops and buses are being sprayed down daily. We are encouraging hand washing, and covering coughs and sneezes. There is soap, paper towels, and alcohol based sanitizers in every bathroom and lunchroom,” said Terry. “We are also discouraging students to share items like pencils in order to keep down the amount of contractions.”
The schools are in constant contact with the Alabama Department of Public Health. “They keep us up to date regularly and have been a constant source for information concerning the situation. All faculty and staff are properly trained on it. A representative from the ADPH came to educate them. They will be coming again in the future,” said Terry.
On Friday August 28, State Superintendent of Education Joseph B. Morton sent a memorandum to all Alabama City and County School Boards. Within it, he concurred with an idea of State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson. From this, schools and employees with flu symptoms are discontinued of, on a temporary basis the requirement to present a “doctor’s excuse” in order to return to school or work. Instead the rule for returning to school or work is that the patient has been free of fever without the aid of medication for 24 hours.
Very soon all schools will have H1N1 flu shots to administer to students. The shots will not be required but volunteer optional with the permission of the pupil’s parents. Barbara Terry mentioned Bibb County schools are looking for volunteer nurses to help administer the shots. “What we are doing right now is everything. All we will continue to do is everything,” said Terry.
While the schools are indeed prepared the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control want every household to be as prepared, in case H1N1 does become an alarming pandemic. With that in mind they are asking everyone to stock at least two weeks of non-perishable food and water. Soap and alcohol based sanitizer, medicines for fever, a thermometer, anti-diarrhea medication, vitamins, fluids with electrolytes, a flashlight, batteries, portable radio, manual can opener, garbage bags, tissues such as toilet paper, and two weeks worth of any lifestyle necessary medical supplies such as (diabetic equipment). Practice good hygiene, such as hand washing and sanitizing. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wipe down your tables. For more information regarding H1N1 please visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
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