News from the Nurse regarding the Novel H1N1 Flu Virus

            The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been working diligently to educate its citizens and prevent the spread of the Novel H1N1 Flu Virus.  There are 5 main points that the Department of Health wants everyone to remember.  A short music video titled “These Five Things” is on the website.  The link is http://www.h1n1inpa.com/newsroom/campaign-materials/.  This is a fun way to teach students how to stay healthy and prevent the flu.  The music video will be shown on morning announcements.  However, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes and watch the video yourself.

            The simple steps Pennsylvanians can take to prevent spreading the virus to others are:

1. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your sleeve (not your hand).
2. Keep your hands away from your face and don’t touch your mouth, nose, and eyes.
3. Wash your hands with soap often.  An alcohol-based hand sanitizer will work as well.
4. Keep frequently used surfaces clean, such as knobs, countertops, and desks.
5. Stay home from work of school if you do get sick.

The influenza virus can infect a person from two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface of an object.  Additionally, an infected person may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick until up to 24 hours after the symptoms subside.  This is why you are encouraged to keep your child home if your child is sick with a flu-like illness.  These symptoms include fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, and may also include vomiting or diarrhea.  Children should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines.  Because of the risk of Reye’s Syndrome, Aspirin products should not be given to children.  Information about Reye’s Syndrome will be in a future issue.

Vaccination Information

Children 9 years of age and younger require two doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine at least 28 days apart for protection.  If your child was vaccinated last month at the H1N1 Clinic, it is time to call the Department of Health at 1-877-724-3258 to make an appointment for a free second dosage from a state health clinic near you.

The Southeast District of the Department of Health has announced two more dates for free H1N1 Vaccination clinics in Lancaster County.  The dates are Friday, January 8^th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday, January 9^th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.  The locations are:

1. Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center:  101 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, PA  17545; (717) 537-4190; Salunga exit off Route 283.
2. Lancaster/Lebanon IU-13:  1020 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA  17601; (717) 606-1600.

The Vaccination is available to the general public but pre-registration is required.  To register or get more information about other vaccination clinics or the novel H1N1 flu, visit www.H1N1inPA.com.