Influenza Prevention & Response

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RISD Health Services
707 E. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, Texas 75081
469 593 7445
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Influenza Prevention & Response
Please return to this page frequently during flu season for updates and information regarding H1N1 and seasonal flu in RISD.

School districts across the United States are already experiencing an active 2009 flu season. The RISD is no exception. The H1N1 (Swine) flu is expected to continue, along with the regular seasonal flu strains. While H1N1 is not currently more dangerous than the seasonal flu, it’s still important to get flu shots as they become available.

Also, because the H1N1 flu is so contagious, it is very important to observe basic hygiene and cleanliness precautions like:

frequent hand washing,
coughing/sneezing into sleeves (not hands),
frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, and
not sharing food or drink with others.

If your child becomes ill with flu-like symptoms (fever of 100.0°F (37.8°C)or higher, plus cough and/or sore throat) , they should not come to school until the symptoms have gone, and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol. Students who come to school with flu-like symptoms may be sent home.

It is also important to call the school if your child misses school due to flu-like symptoms. This allows RISD to track illness data as directed by our county health department. Also, as with any absence, when your child is well and returns to school, please send a note with them to school.

During this active influenza season consideration should be made regarding the potential exposure during large social events such as sporting events, slumber parties, etc.

The following is a summary of the actions that RISD is taking to respond to the H1N1 influenza based on the August 7, 2009 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines for 2009-2010 *

A. Surveillance/Containment

Daily attendance is obtained at each campus, noting the total number of absences and the number of absences due to influenza-like-illness (ILI).
The information on the total absences and ILI absences is communicated daily to the Dallas County Health and Humans Services Department (DCHHSD) as they are monitoring the results of each campus on a daily basis.
The Health Services Director is in daily communication with the DCHHSD and the RISD Communications department.
The campus school nurse is following up on any student who is absent due to ILI. The new CDC Guidelines no longer require an ill student to be sent for testing for the type of influenza and confirmation of H1N1.
Students and staff with ILI symptoms are isolated and sent home as soon as possible. They are excluded from school with instructions to not return to school until at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without the help of antipyretic (fever-reducing) medications. Information for the parents is sent home with the students.
Our custodial personnel regularly clean high traffic areas and surfaces with industrial grade anti-viral disinfectant (Virex 256) and during flu season are also disinfecting additional areas as part of their cleaning rotation (desks, doorknobs, clinic surfaces)

B. Information/Education

The parents were sent a letter from your campus with information on the signs and symptoms of ILI, the need to call their campus to report the absence of their child with ILI and our exclusion guidelines. These letters are also included on our RISD web page under the Influenza link.
The RISD H1N1 site is linked to documents with information on the seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu, personal preparedness, preventive measures as well as guidelines for caring for a ill person at home.
A Connect Ed message from the communications department has been sent home to all parents informing them about our exclusion guidelines, the need to report ILI and the signs and symptoms of ILI. This message is also relayed to parents of each absent student.
The nurses have placed Influenza prevention posters within the school.
The nurses have provided the staff at your school with Power Point presentations as well as presentations to the students regarding hand hygiene, cough etiquette, staying at home with illness and exclusion guidelines.

C. Campus Facilities

Students will be given the opportunity to wash their hands with soap and water as needed
Soap and paper towels will be available in the bathrooms
Germicidal hand gels (60% alcohol) can be used under supervision in the classrooms and field trips
Custodial personnel will regularly clean high traffic areas and surfaces (as in A 6 above)

D. School Dismissal Guidelines from the DCHHSD

The decision will be collaborative with the district and the DCHHSD
Consideration will taken of the severity and number of cases
Consideration of trends in absenteeism and ILI rates within a school district
Consideration of student compliance with school illness policies

*UPDATED FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR 2009 H1N1 INFLUENZA IN SCHOOLS August 7, 2009 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The overview and technical guides are available at: http://flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html.

Please take a moment to review the attached documents regarding hygiene, influenza prevention and care from RISD Health Services and other health authorities.

Dial 2-1-1 for Flu Advice
You can now dial 2-1-1 to receive over-the-phone medical guidance about what you should do if you or a family member have flu symptoms.

The state’s 2-1-1 health information helpline is now staffed with medical professionals who can provide information about managing flu symptoms and advice on when to seek medical care from a physician or emergency room.

This will help you make informed decisions about how to care for yourself and your family. The guidance is not intended to replace specific instructions people receive from their physicians.

The 2-1-1 staff also can provide general flu information and vaccine availability information for individuals and health care providers. Calls are answered round-the-clock. Callers are instructed to choose a language and then press “6” for flu information and guidance.

Basic flu symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat that usually come on suddenly. Most cases are relatively mild to moderate and do not need emergency treatment. Most people who have H1N1 flu or seasonal flu just need appropriate fluid intake, fever-reducing medication, rest and careful monitoring, Lakey said. Recovering at home also lessens the burden on the health care system.

People with underlying health conditions who think they have the flu should contact their health care provider.

For more information about flu in Texas, www.TexasFlu.org.