H1N1 Virus & Seasonal Influenza

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This page offers information about two important health issues that are of understandable concern for parents: seasonal influenza (flu) and novel H1N1 influenza (formerly know as swine flu).

Boston Public Schools is working closely with public health agencies, school nurses, and others to provide information to families and staff about simple ways to help students reduce their risk of contracting influenza.

The following documents and links provide valuable information about H1N1 and seasonal flu, including helpful strategies for reducing health risks.

Read the letter to families (posted below) about H1N1 influenza from Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Executive Director, Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)

Documents

BPHC Letter to Families

BPHC Letter to BPS Staff

BPHC H1N1 Presentation

BPHC H1N1 Fact Sheet

BPHC Seasonal Flu Vaccine Fact Sheet

Links

Boston Public Health Commission Flu Information

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Flu Information

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) H1N1 Information

Dr. Barbara Ferrer's Letter to Families

August 20, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) would like your help in preparing for flu season.  This fall, you and your children are likely to be exposed to both seasonal influenza (flu) and novel H1N1 influenza (formerly known as swine flu).   There are four very important steps you and your children can take to minimize your risks of becoming ill with flu.

1. Please remember to wash hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after you cough or sneeze.

2. When coughing or sneezing, please cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

3. Please stay home from work, and keep your children home from school when you or they are sick.  Children with flu symptoms (a fever, accompanied with a cough or sore throat) need to remain home for at least 4 days from the time they become ill.

4. Please schedule an appointment or attend a clinic where you and your children can receive your flu shots.  Although at this point the H1N1 vaccine is not available, vaccination against seasonal flu is very important and offers protection against a common strain of flu that is likely to circulate this fall and winter.  Vaccination clinics across the city will begin in September.  

Please be sure to have a plan for how your child can be cared for at home if they are ill with flu for up to a week since it is important to keep sick children isolated from others.   In addition, since it is possible that with a large flu outbreak, your child’s school may need to close for a week, please plan for appropriate supervision in your home for your children during a school closure; when a school is closed, children are asked to not congregate with others to minimize continued transmission of the virus.  Students who are staying home due to flu-like symptoms do not require a doctor’s note upon returning to school. The student should return to school with a note from their parent/guardian indicating they were home ill in order for the absences to be excused.  Students do NOT need to be tested for influenza or otherwise be “cleared” to return to school if they have abided by the 4 day exclusion policy. Students may not return to school until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

To date, most cases of H1N1 influenza have occurred in children, and cases have fully recovered. However, influenza can cause serious illness and cases of more severe illness in the future may occur.  If you or your child have a chronic medical condition, such as lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, a compromised immune system or cancer, or are pregnant, please call your medical provider if there has been an exposure to flu so that they can advise you about any additional prevention steps to take.  For more information about flu, call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617- 534-5050, between 9 AM – 5 PM, or go to www.bphc.org/H1N1flu.

Sincerely,  

Barbara Ferrer, Ph. D., MPH, M.Ed
Executive Director

For more information...

Contact:
•    Your family doctor
•    Your school nurse
•    BPS Health Services: 617-635-6788
•    Boston Public Health Commission: 617-534-5611
•    Mayor's Health Line: 617-534-5050 (9AM - 5 PM)