Checklist: 5 Back-to-School Swine Flu Survival Tips
Swine flu fear is back! You missed it didn’t you? The CDC released a report this week saying that N1H1 could claim almost 100,000 American lives, many of which will be children, this upcoming flu season. With kids going back to the germ filled petri-dish that is school, we should all prepare for the potential illness that they could bring home. The Today Show put together a back to school swine flu survival checklist all of which are easy and will hopefully cut down on spread of those icky swine flu germs. Check out the list here:
Good Hand Washing
The number one and most important tip. Wash hands. Wash hands. Rinse. Repeat. Hand washing drastically cuts down on germs and is your best defense. You may also arm your child with wipes or hand sanitizer gel if they aren’t able to get to a sink as much as you’d like.
Don’t Share
Yes, you should teach them to share their toys, books and balls. But advise them not to share items that come in direct contact with their mouth such as cups, utensils, and toothbrushes.
Check Your Child’s Temperature
If your child feels warm or hot, make sure to verify it. If your child has a fever – keep them home. Self quarantine will be important to stop the spread of the germs.
Stay Home
If your kid is sick, do not send your child to school. Yes, you may have deadlines, work to do or other issues but it is advised to keep your child home at least 72 hours after the fever is gone. Although there is yet to be an official timeline of how long to stay home, three days is the recommended minimum.
Get Vaccinated
A vaccination is being worked on but most won’t be able to get access until Thanksgiving.
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Tags: back to school, germs, health, school, Sunny Chanel, swine flu, swine flu check list
9 Comments
GP commented on Aug 25 09 at 2:46 pmUh, nice checklist. Aren’t there still LOTS of questions about the vax? I am generally very pro-vax, but really don’t think I would give my daughter this one.
Laure68 commented on Aug 25 09 at 3:10 pmGP - could you explain what about the swine flu shot concerns you?
GP commented on Aug 25 09 at 3:49 pmBasically, it’s a new vax without the long track record of many of the others I have and my child have received. There were problems with a swine flu vax in 1976, too. It all just seems a little high-pitched and rushed. I’m not sure folks with healthy immune systems need to worry as much, and that in this case, the unknowns about the vax outweigh potential dangers to the average person. I just don’t know though.
GP commented on Aug 25 09 at 3:55 pmStuff like this…http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208716/Half-GPs-refuse-swine-flu-vaccine-testing-fears.html
Laure68 commented on Aug 25 09 at 4:19 pmIn many European countries (including the UK) they decided to fast track the testing for the swine flu shot. In the US they took a more cautious approach, and are testing similarly as to how the seasonal flu vaccine is tested. I wonder if this is what is concerning people in the UK?
The seasonal flu vaccine changes every year and has to be retested. I don’t see the difference between this and the swine flu shot.
Laure68 commented on Aug 25 09 at 4:31 pmOne more thing - the swine flu hits children more than the seasonal flu does. It is true we don’t really know how severe the swine flu will be this fall.
Since I get my son a seasonal flu shot every year, this is a no brainer for me.
GP commented on Aug 25 09 at 4:51 pmHmmm, hadn’t thought about the new flu shot every year. I was always against the flu shots til my kids started playing in a play room at the gym and now will be in preschool…so I guess we will probably get the swine, too, and hope for no tragedies (?)
Laure68 commented on Aug 26 09 at 3:37 pmDefinitely talk to your health care professional if you have any questions. Everyone has to make their own decision, but what gets me is the misinformation that can spread so easily.
santosh Patil commented on Aug 31 09 at 9:23 amHello, its very usefull & informative tips, I specially Thanks to U from My Heart, Also good points based on swine flu, which is the most current fear, everyone in minds. I really like this Article and also request to u that please keep it up….
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