Preventing flu in school, child care facilities Published Aug. 18, 2009 By Capt. Brenda Dehn Public Health flight commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As school districts and child care providers prepare for the new school year, it's a good time to plan for preventing the spread of flu and other illnesses in school and child care settings. The El Paso County Department of Health and Environment and Peterson Air Force Base are asking all Team Peterson members to help minimize children's exposure to these illnesses as school resumes. According to the health department, the best way to prevent exposure and spread of H1N1 flu during the upcoming flu season is to keep sick children at home. In July, Health Department officials gave all school districts guidelines to help identify flu symptoms. Students and staff members who exhibit symptoms will be asked to stay home to prevent exposing others. Health Department officials explained that even if a child has the flu, but not H1N1, the recommendation would be the same - keep the child home until they have been symptom free for 48 hours. The Health Department does not recommend that children be tested to confirm the H1N1 virus because the treatment and recommendations to stay home remain the same. Simple steps can keep children healthy: · Prevent the spread of flu - Good hygiene prevents contact with droplets that are often the reason the disease spreads. Good hygiene steps include covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home when sick. When these good hygiene steps are taken, the spread of illness is prevented. · Maintain health - Healthy eating, physical activity, getting enough sleep, and using medications as prescribed are some of the many steps one can take to maintain health. Individuals with underlying medical conditions, including respiratory illnesses and severe obesity, may be at an increased risk of severe illness. Follow guidelines for healthy living. · Get seasonal flu shots - Flu can vary from mild to severe. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. The Center for Disease Control recommends all children ages 6 months to 18 years receive vaccinations against seasonal flu as early as possible. · Get H1N1 vaccine - Monitor information from all sources to learn when the vaccine will become available in the community. It is likely that the H1N1 vaccine will not be available for children through military clinics. Remember, the best way to prevent exposure and spread of H1N1 flu, which is infecting the youngest members of our population, is to wash hands often and keep sick children home. Peterson health officials are committed to upholding suggestions made by the El Paso County Health Department to keep its school community as healthy as possible during the traditional flu season and during the remainder of the year. For more information, contact Public Health at 556-1225.