What's new with the swine flu?

As you may know, the new H1N1 flu has been circulating throughout the state of California, and it is likely now that children are back in school, we will see an increase in flu cases spreading from child to child.

We are all hoping that the fall flu season will be mild, but we encourage you to be diligent in helping us to stop the spread of the virus.

At this time, state and local public health officials have advised that students can-- and should - continue to come to school, as long as they are not sick and do not have flu symptoms. Flu-like symptoms include: fever (over 100 degrees F), feverishness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or stuffy nose. Additional symptoms may be experienced with swine flu, including body aches, feeling very tired, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that all individuals with an influenza-like illness or symptoms should remain home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen), and should avoid contact with others.

It is also important to teach your children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and how to protect others from becoming infected. If we all practice good hygiene, health officials believe we can limit the spread of swine flu in our schools and child care centers.


• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when sick and maintain distance from other people to prevent the spread of illness.
• Wash hands often, with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds (that is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective in reducing the spread of the flu.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Wash hands after blowing nose or coughing into a tissue, and dispose of tissues after use.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.

Public health officials stress that it is very important to get separate vaccinations for seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu this year. The seasonal flu vaccines were already in production when the new H1N1 flu broke out, and it may be available as early as August or September. It is recommended that you and your family get this vaccination as soon as it is available from your health care provider or local clinic. The H1N1 vaccine is currently being tested, and may be available sometime between October and January. The H1N1 vaccine may require two shots given several weeks apart to provide adequate protection. Initially there may be limited supplies, and high-risk groups may be vaccinated first.

We at Holtville Unified are diligently working to slow the spread of all viruses on our campus. We are making sure all student contact areas such as doorknobs, drinking fountains and computer keyboard and mouses (mice?) are wiped down on a regular basis.

If you would like to help by sending kleenex and antibacterial wipes to school with your child, it would be greatly appreciated!