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Home > Influenza Resources/FAQ's for Parents
Influenza Resources and FAQ's for Parents
From the Head of School, John Webster
September 2009
In recent days the city of San Antonio has appeared to be in the accelerating phase of an influenza outbreak as, in some schools, absences topped 15%-20%. Many influenza cases in our city have been diagnosed as Influenza Type A, which may be the H1N1 virus.
While our absence rate has averaged 6.4% this week, SAA has experienced its fair share of influenza cases. Per the advice of the CDC and the San Antonio Health Department, Nurse Romo has been diligent in sending boys home if they are ill. Kudos go to Terry Romo, who is doing everything she can to protect our boys.
Here are the questions that we are hearing, along with short-form answers:
· What are the symptoms of the influenza?
o Fever, cough, sore throat, general malaise, fatigue, extreme emotions
· What should we do if our child is ill?
o Take him to a physician right away. In the case of influenza, prompt treatment seems to lessen the severity and duration of the illness.
· Should he attend school if he is ill?
o No. SAA will be forced to send him home or he will infect others.
· When may he return to school?
o Most physicians recommend that children return to school 24 hours after they are fever-free without Tylenol or Advil and when they feel well enough to put in a full and active day.
· When will the H1N1 vaccine be available?
o Estimates indicate that there should be an H1N1 vaccine that is clinically tested in late October or in November. SAA will attempt to make the vaccine available to those boys whose families/family physicians are comfortable with the administration of the vaccine.
SAA needs your help. Several boys have pressured their parents to send them to school, even though they are ill, so that they can participate in a school activity/sport. Please do not send a child who is ill to school, as he will infect others.
SAA and all schools will continue to see an increase in the rate of influenza. Please know that our number one priority is to protect our boys and to put their health first. If you have any questions about our health policies, please call our Associate Heads─Virginia Beeler, Drew Kennedy, Mary Wilde─ or me. Please call Nurse Romo with specific questions about your son, but please keep in mind that her time is best spent with our boys.
I am including links to several websites that provide more details regarding this vital topic.
So far, we’re doing reasonably well, but we need your help and patience as we enforce SAA’s policies to protect our children.
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