To St. Paul School Families:
Important Information about Swine Flu
As you may know, flu is spreading easily from person to person and school age children are among the groups most affected. We are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu in St. Paul School.
Swine flu is a contagious viral illness caused by a specific influenza strain. It is spread by contact with another person who is ill, mainly by being in the presence of their coughing.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to seasonal influenza (winter flu) and include fever, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, lack of appetite, aches and fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Conjunctivitis has been reported, but is not common.
Swine flu has spread quickly and has caused serious illness and death throughout the United States. There have been a number of school closings in the United States due to the illness and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are following the problem closely.
Ways to prevent swine flu include:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
- Those coughing should use tissues to cover their nose and mouth or cough into their arm or elbow. Do not cough into the hand and wash or sanitize hands promptly after coughing.
- Stay away from those who are sick and restrict travel to areas with known illness.
- Call your primary care doctor/provider if you have symptoms of swine flu.
We need cooperation of all to keep our community healthy and safe:
Under no circumstances should anyone enter St. Paul School who is sick with any of the symptoms of swine flu. Students, family members, faculty and staff must stay home if they have a temperature of 100 degrees or greater.
This is critical to prevent the spread of illness. Please do not send sick students to school, even if they ask to go.
** Please keep your child home for 7 days after symptoms start or until your child is completely well or fever free for a full day, whichever is longer!**
We ask that you communicate any diagnosis or possibility of swine flu to the St. Paul School Office so that we may monitor and plan for the care of all.
This would be a good time to make sure that you have a working thermometer in your home and any supplies that you may need should a family member be stricken with swine flu.
We are continuing to work closely with local, state and national health and public safety officials. We will update you with any new and pertinent information we receive.
For information on controlling swine flu including school recommendations from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/mitigation.htm.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Duggan
Principal
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