Swine Flu and Daycare

[mac60]

In our region, there has been a lot of talk on the upcoming flu season. I am trying to decide what things I can do here to prevent the sickness from coming into my home and daycare. I am thinking of removing many of the smaller toys that the kids seem to send straight to the mouth. Also, limiting how many toys are out at once, so I can have a better handle on keeping them clean and disinfected daily. Washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizers through out the day on the children. On a daily basis, cleaning door handles including cupboard doors, bathroom areas, places where little hands and mouths can touch.

This whole swine flu thing scares me, as when you look it up, the signs are so much like the regular flu, and honestly don't know how to tell them apart.

And then the whole fever thing......just how do we as providers enforce the whole "FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS WITH OUT THE USE OF MEDS TO BRING DOWN THE FEVER". We all know how parents are.

Then the whole just the winter cold and snot thing......While I don't expect a parent to stay home with their child because they have a cold.......if they have snot and a cough, I do expect them to send something to alleviate the symptoms and help control them while they are here, and if they can not do that, or choose NOT to do that, they need to keep them home.

And question.....what are your views on Lysol and disinfectant sprays,,,,do you really think they help? I have always used them, but just wondering "Do they really help"?

[tymaboy]

When the swine flu went around the 1st time I sent a letter home to my parents saying how I will be enforcing the sick policy & asking them to keep the other children in mind if their child is sick. I also explained to them that I would be cleaning the toys more often then I had been.

[GretasLittleFriends]

As far as the disinfectant spray goes, I'd be sure to use something that specifically states it kills 99.9% germs like lysol, or just a bleach solution.

I know the Minnesota Department of Heath website had some helpful information. On the left hand side there are links for one is for childcare. You may find helpful information there.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/h1n1/

[Unregistered]

My pediatrician says 10 days at home if you have Swine Flu. Whether there is fever still or not, 10 days.

[AmandasFCC]

I received an email with this information for my area today from the referral agency. Hope it helps

FACT SHEET ― DAYCARES
H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu)
Date: July 29, 2009
What is the H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu)?
Human Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of Human Swine Flu can be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever,
cough, headache, general aches, fatigue and other symptoms. Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore
throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
What to do if you get sick:
• Similar to treating any respiratory illnesses, you should stay home and avoid contact with others to keep from spreading germs.
• Remain at home for 7 days after symptoms first occur or until your fever is gone, whichever is longer.
• If symptoms worsen, contact HealthLinkBC by dialing 8-1-1 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or call your doctor.
• Visit the hospital Emergency Department only for emergencies, such as severe shortness of breath. Do not go to the
Emergency Department as your first course of action.
Are masks effective in preventing the spread of Human Swine Flu?
• It is important to remember that Human Swine Flu is spread from person to person usually through respiratory droplets, from
someone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Surgical masks are best worn by those who are sick, to keep germs from spreading.
• Wearing surgical masks does not necessarily provide protection for those who are healthy.
• For health professionals who are treating Human Swine Flu cases in health-care facilities, N95 respirators are recommended for
specific situations. Surgical masks are recommended for healthcare workers as part of the national Public Health Agency of
Canada guidelines.
Treatment:
• Most Canadian cases of Human Swine Flu have been relatively mild and people get better on their own at home by following
standard treatment for influenza symptoms.
• Antivirals, including Tamiflu, can be used to treat influenza; however, at this time they are not being used as a preventative
measure. The most appropriate use of antivirals is for those with severe respiratory illness. The one exception is in the case of
an influenza outbreak in a confined setting, such as a residential care facility, where Tamiflu can be used as a prophylactic /
preventative measure.
Cleaning and Infection Control:
Daycares should be cleaning their facilities on a regular basis with a germicidal cleaner. Toilets, hard surfaces, toys and other areas
that get touched often should be cleaned daily. Surfaces or toys that are visibly soiled should be cleaned with soap and water, using
friction, rinsed with water and dried.
Precautions:
Here are six simple, common sense precautions that can help keep us all healthy:
1. Stay home when you’re sick or have influenza symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with a healthcare provider as
needed.
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from
getting sick.
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away immediately. It
may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Wash your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from getting sick. When soap and water are not
available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You can become ill by touching a surface contaminated with germs and then
touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat
nutritious foods, and avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contract the flu.
FACT SHEET
H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu)
More Information:
• The public can call HealthLink BC by dialing 8-1-1 or visiting www.healthlinkbc.ca.
• British Columbia updates on the H1N1 Flu Virus (human swine flu) are available at www.gov.bc.ca/swineflu.
• Learn how to protect yourself against flu at http://fightflu.ca/index-eng.html.
• Additional information can be found at:
• BC Centre for Disease Control at www.bccdc.org;
• Public Health Agency of Canada at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-ale...00904-eng.php;
• World Health Organization at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

[albertrichard]

Disinfectant wipes are able to prevent spread of germs, viruses and odors in your body and makes sure that you stay healthy. Disinfectant wipes are germicidal in nature and fight against bacteria, viruses and fungi and are designed to combat their reproduction on any surface.