H1N1 Influenza Virus Information
End of School Year Up-date For Parents Regarding H1N1 Influenza Virus
Since the new H1N1 influenza virus began to circulate in Toronto in late April, Toronto Public Health, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and others have been providing information to schools, day cares and parents about this virus.
At this point, we know that:
Influenza is commonly seen in schools and day cares every year. As expected, students and children attending a number of Toronto schools and day cares have become infected with the H1N1 influenza virus. H1N1 influenza is not being seen in more children than would happen during a regular influenza season.
H1N1 influenza causes illness very much like regular seasonal influenza. People who are ill with H1N1 influenza can get fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Most people infected with this new virus have recovered without the need for medical care.
As with seasonal influenza, the elderly, very young children and individuals with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung and heart conditions, cancer and diabetes can become very sick due to H1N1 influenza. This has been seen in Canada and elsewhere.
H1N1 influenza is circulating in our community. Cases have occurred across Toronto, in all age groups. Most cases have not traveled outside Ontario.
Because H1N1 is circulating in our community everyone needs to do their part to stop the spread of infection — even if you haven’t been exposed to someone with H1N1. No special measures are required when there is a case in a school or day care. The best way to stop the spread of H1N1 is good hygiene. Teach your kids, and follow these steps yourself:
wash hands often
cover your cough
stay home when ill.
Toronto Public Health is working with Toronto schools and day cares to get ready for the fall influenza season. For more information and resources, please see the attached fact sheet.
Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara Yaffe
Director, Communicable Disease Control
and Associate Medical Officer of Health
May 29, 2009
H1N1 Influenza Virus (Human Swine Influenza)
Information for Parents of Children in Schools and Day Cares
What is H1N1 influenza virus?
H1N1 influenza virus is a new strain of influenza. It causes the same symptoms as seasonal flu (influenza): fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. H1N1 influenza virus is circulating in Toronto, and in many countries around the world.
How does the virus spread?
Influenza is spread from person to person. Coughs and sneezes release the influenza virus into the air where it can be breathed in directly by others who are within six feet (2 meters). The virus can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where it can be picked up on hands and transmitted when a person touches their mouth or nose. People with influenza are most infectious while they are actually feeling ill.
How can I stop the spread of the H1N1 virus?
Parents, children, and staff at schools, daycare, and other group activities can take these steps to help prevent illness:
Wash your hands frequently using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Cough or sneeze into a tissue, not your hand. Throw out the tissue right away, and wash your hands.
If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm – not your hand.
Don’t share things that go in the mouth, such as cups, juice boxes, water bottles, forks/spoons, musical instruments with mouthpieces, etc.
Watch for influenza symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and possibly vomiting or diarrhoea. Stay home if you are ill, and do not return to school/daycare/work/other group activities until you are feeling well enough to take part again.
When should people wash their hands?
After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
After using the bathroom
Before preparing food or eating
Before touching your face
When you come into contact with someone who is sick
How can I clean hard surfaces to stop H1N1 from spreading?
Most regular household cleaners will kill the H1N1 flu virus. It is always best to wash a surface before disinfecting, but most household cleaners do both at the same time. To make your own disinfectant, mix one teaspoon of household bleach with two cups of water. Wash the area with soap and water first. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, then use the bleach solution. Leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least ten minutes, then let air dry, or wipe with a clean paper towel.
My child has been in contact with someone who had H1N1. What should I do?
If your child is well, he or she should continue with their normal activities, including school or daycare. If they become ill, keep them home from school, daycare and other group activities until they are well. The same advice applies to adults. Siblings (and parents) of a child with confirmed H1N1 influenza do not need to stay home as long as they are well.
Fact Sheet
H1N1 Influenza Virus (Human Swine Influenza)
Information for Parents of Children in Schools and Day Cares
Should staff or children at schools/daycares wear masks?
No.
Will a school or daycare be closed if someone there has H1N1 influenza virus?
No, we are not advising schools or day cares to close if some one there comes down with H1N1 influenza. We do not advise schools to close during the regular influenza season either. All regular school/day care activities can and should continue, but as always ill students, children and staff should stay home until they feel well again.
Should my child get a flu shot?
The influenza virus changes each year, which is why a new influenza vaccine comes out each year. The flu shot available from last winter does not protect against the H1N1 strain of influenza. The World Health Organization and vaccine manufacturers have started work on a vaccine for H1N1, but this is not likely to be available before the fall.
Are there medications to treat H1N1 influenza?
Most healthy people who get influenza – including H1N1 influenza – get better on their own and do not need medication. However, the doctor may recommend antiviral medications for people who get very ill, or have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk for serious complications.
What if my child has a chronic medical condition?
If your child has a chronic medical condition, for example that affects their heart, lungs (e.g. asthma) or immune system (e.g. diabetes, cancer treatment), you may wish to speak with their doctor. Children with a medical condition who are well enough to go to school or daycare do not need to stay home just because H1N1 is around. While most children who get influenza get better on their own, children who have a chronic medical condition may benefit from early treatment with anti-viral medication. Many children with high-risk medical conditions are advised to get a routine flu shot each year – speak with your child’s doctor about this.
If you or your child are ill with symptoms of influenza, call your health care provider for advice, or call Telehealth Ontario at1-866-797-0000.
Where can I get more information?
Toronto Public Health http://www.toronto.ca/health or 416-338-7600
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care http://www.health.gov.on.ca
TeleHealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000. Tell the nurse the name of your language in English, and wait until they connect you with a translator.
Travel Health Notices http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub-eng.php
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca or 1-800-454-8302
Canadian Pediatric Society www.caringforkids.cps.ca/index.htm
Since the new H1N1 influenza virus began to circulate in Toronto in late April, Toronto Public Health, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and others have been providing information to schools, day cares and parents about this virus.
At this point, we know that:
Influenza is commonly seen in schools and day cares every year. As expected, students and children attending a number of Toronto schools and day cares have become infected with the H1N1 influenza virus. H1N1 influenza is not being seen in more children than would happen during a regular influenza season.
H1N1 influenza causes illness very much like regular seasonal influenza. People who are ill with H1N1 influenza can get fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Most people infected with this new virus have recovered without the need for medical care.
As with seasonal influenza, the elderly, very young children and individuals with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung and heart conditions, cancer and diabetes can become very sick due to H1N1 influenza. This has been seen in Canada and elsewhere.
H1N1 influenza is circulating in our community. Cases have occurred across Toronto, in all age groups. Most cases have not traveled outside Ontario.
Because H1N1 is circulating in our community everyone needs to do their part to stop the spread of infection — even if you haven’t been exposed to someone with H1N1. No special measures are required when there is a case in a school or day care. The best way to stop the spread of H1N1 is good hygiene. Teach your kids, and follow these steps yourself:
wash hands often
cover your cough
stay home when ill.
Toronto Public Health is working with Toronto schools and day cares to get ready for the fall influenza season. For more information and resources, please see the attached fact sheet.
Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara Yaffe
Director, Communicable Disease Control
and Associate Medical Officer of Health
May 29, 2009
H1N1 Influenza Virus (Human Swine Influenza)
Information for Parents of Children in Schools and Day Cares
What is H1N1 influenza virus?
H1N1 influenza virus is a new strain of influenza. It causes the same symptoms as seasonal flu (influenza): fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. H1N1 influenza virus is circulating in Toronto, and in many countries around the world.
How does the virus spread?
Influenza is spread from person to person. Coughs and sneezes release the influenza virus into the air where it can be breathed in directly by others who are within six feet (2 meters). The virus can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where it can be picked up on hands and transmitted when a person touches their mouth or nose. People with influenza are most infectious while they are actually feeling ill.
How can I stop the spread of the H1N1 virus?
Parents, children, and staff at schools, daycare, and other group activities can take these steps to help prevent illness:
Wash your hands frequently using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Cough or sneeze into a tissue, not your hand. Throw out the tissue right away, and wash your hands.
If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm – not your hand.
Don’t share things that go in the mouth, such as cups, juice boxes, water bottles, forks/spoons, musical instruments with mouthpieces, etc.
Watch for influenza symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and possibly vomiting or diarrhoea. Stay home if you are ill, and do not return to school/daycare/work/other group activities until you are feeling well enough to take part again.
When should people wash their hands?
After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
After using the bathroom
Before preparing food or eating
Before touching your face
When you come into contact with someone who is sick
How can I clean hard surfaces to stop H1N1 from spreading?
Most regular household cleaners will kill the H1N1 flu virus. It is always best to wash a surface before disinfecting, but most household cleaners do both at the same time. To make your own disinfectant, mix one teaspoon of household bleach with two cups of water. Wash the area with soap and water first. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, then use the bleach solution. Leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least ten minutes, then let air dry, or wipe with a clean paper towel.
My child has been in contact with someone who had H1N1. What should I do?
If your child is well, he or she should continue with their normal activities, including school or daycare. If they become ill, keep them home from school, daycare and other group activities until they are well. The same advice applies to adults. Siblings (and parents) of a child with confirmed H1N1 influenza do not need to stay home as long as they are well.
Fact Sheet
H1N1 Influenza Virus (Human Swine Influenza)
Information for Parents of Children in Schools and Day Cares
Should staff or children at schools/daycares wear masks?
No.
Will a school or daycare be closed if someone there has H1N1 influenza virus?
No, we are not advising schools or day cares to close if some one there comes down with H1N1 influenza. We do not advise schools to close during the regular influenza season either. All regular school/day care activities can and should continue, but as always ill students, children and staff should stay home until they feel well again.
Should my child get a flu shot?
The influenza virus changes each year, which is why a new influenza vaccine comes out each year. The flu shot available from last winter does not protect against the H1N1 strain of influenza. The World Health Organization and vaccine manufacturers have started work on a vaccine for H1N1, but this is not likely to be available before the fall.
Are there medications to treat H1N1 influenza?
Most healthy people who get influenza – including H1N1 influenza – get better on their own and do not need medication. However, the doctor may recommend antiviral medications for people who get very ill, or have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk for serious complications.
What if my child has a chronic medical condition?
If your child has a chronic medical condition, for example that affects their heart, lungs (e.g. asthma) or immune system (e.g. diabetes, cancer treatment), you may wish to speak with their doctor. Children with a medical condition who are well enough to go to school or daycare do not need to stay home just because H1N1 is around. While most children who get influenza get better on their own, children who have a chronic medical condition may benefit from early treatment with anti-viral medication. Many children with high-risk medical conditions are advised to get a routine flu shot each year – speak with your child’s doctor about this.
If you or your child are ill with symptoms of influenza, call your health care provider for advice, or call Telehealth Ontario at1-866-797-0000.
Where can I get more information?
Toronto Public Health http://www.toronto.ca/health or 416-338-7600
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care http://www.health.gov.on.ca
TeleHealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000. Tell the nurse the name of your language in English, and wait until they connect you with a translator.
Travel Health Notices http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub-eng.php
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca or 1-800-454-8302
Canadian Pediatric Society www.caringforkids.cps.ca/index.htm
