Swine Flu/ H1N1

[just_peachy]

One of my kid's dad just let me know he tested positive this morning. I searched the forums here, and while I found some stuff on when a KID is sick, what should I do with the info that their dad is sick? The kid is unaffected, as of yet.

Should I tell the other parents? And should I keep the kid away? And for how long, since he isn't sick (yet.) And if I let him come, he's snotty all the time anyway, so will I have any indicator that he is getting it?

Ugh, I'm stressed. Lucky me, but this is the biggest issue I've ran into in my 3 years of daycare.

[TwinKristi]

Well if the child is asymptomatic he may or may not have it. If he does it's too late now to prevent exposure as he's there but the moment he shows symptoms he should be excluded until 24hrs of no fever or symptoms. I would also push hand washing and Purell often to keep the flu at bay and clean a little better where that DCB eats, etc. If he has a runny nose and can't wipe it himself I would send home until he's dried up. That's how so much gets spread among young kids. I had one DCB who was constantly sick and he always had his hands in his mouth or a runny nose so he's always spreading and contacting his environmental germs! Yuck!! Glad that's done! LOL

[MarinaVanessa]

If he doesn't show any symptoms then:

• Avoid contact with DCD and ask he not drop off or pick up DCB from DC.
• Let them know that you would appreciate if DCD avoid contact with DCB until he recovers so that you can reduce the chance of DCB getting it and spreading it at DC.
• Teach the children and especially DCB to cover his coughs and and sneezes with the crook of his elbow and teach the other DCK's too.
• Remind the children not to put their hands or toys into their mouths. Immediately remove all toys that get mouthed, coughed on or sneezed on and disinfect them before you reintroduce them to the group.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water and do the same with the DC children. If they sneeze or cough into their hands ... wash their hands. If they put their hands in their mouths ... wash their hands etc.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly (but not on the children).
• Disinfect before and after toileting/diapering any of the DCK's and before and after preparing/serving food.
• Disinfect surfaces that the DCK's regularly come in contact with like the table that they eat or play on, high chairs, toy boxes, toys etc.

As long as you use the regular universal health precautions you should be fine. I would just keep an extra eye on DCB and check his temp about every 2 hours and immediately call home and have him picked up if he gets a fever.