Berlin Elementary School

^{Berlin Elementary School - Health Office}

          In April 2009 the first case of H1N1 influenza, or swine flu as it was first called, was detected in people in the United States.  The virus has been reported in Mexico, Canada and other countries.    It is spread from person to person, it is thought, much the same way as the seasonal influenza is spread.  Influenza is usually spread through the air when someone who is carrying the influenza virus cough, sneezes or speaks and other people breathe in the virus.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Forms Information and permission slips to have students vaccinated were sent home today (10/9/09) and can be found here.

          The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the seasonal flu symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.  There have also been reports of people experiencing diarrhea and vomiting.  If your child is complaining of not feeling well follow this checklist provided by the Vermont Department of Health:        

                                                

FLU SYMPTOM CHECKLIST

 Yes  No           Does your child have a sore throat, bad cough, or runny nose?

 Yes  No           Does your child have body aches or chills?

 Yes  No           Does your child have vomiting or diarrhea?

 Yes  No           Does your child have a fever of 100^o F or more?

WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?  

If you checked YES to only one of the questions, or if you child is ill with other symptoms, keep your child home for at least 1 day (24 hours) to watch for other symptoms.

If other symptoms start, use the checklist questions again to decide if your child needs to stay home.  Send your child back to school after he or she has been completely well for 1 full day.

                                             WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD GO TO THE DOCTOR?

Call your doctor or seek medical care if your child is more ill than usual.  Watch for signs that your child has trouble breathing and isn't drinking enough fluids.  Watch for skin rashes or any signs that your child is more uncomfortable than you would expect with the flu. 

What you can do to keep from getting the flu or spreading it to others:

• Keep your child home from school when he or she is sick.
• Instruct your child to cover his or her mouth and nose every time he or she coughs or sneezes. It is best to use a tissue and dispose of it in the trash
• Instruct your child to wash his or her hands often and well.
• Use soap and warm water, wash for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol hand sanitizer.
• Instruct your child to keep his or her hands away from eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes.
• Clean surfaces you touch often.
• Instruct your child to not share anything that goes into the mouth. This includes water bottles, chapstick, straws, and silverware
• Help your child keep healthy by assuring he or she gets plenty of rest (8-10 hours a night for teenagers), drink plenty of fluids (especially water), eat healthy foods-at least 3 meals a day, and get regular exercise.    

The above information was provided by the Vermont Department of Health and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) you can get more information and updates by dialing 211, or going to www.healthvermont.gov or www.flu.gov.   You may also call the Berlin Elementary School Nurse, Lynne Jakubauskas, RN, at 223-2796, x 117.

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Vaccine Requirements

The Vermont Department of Health requires that students entering kindergarten through Grade 6 and all students who are newly enrolling in a Vermont school must have:     

• 5 doses of DTaP [Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis] (Note: if the 4^th dose was given on/after the 4^th birthday, only 4 doses are required)
• 4 doses of Polio (Note: If the 3^rd dose was given on/after the 4^th birthday, only 3 doses are required.)
• 2 doses of MMR [Measles, Mumps, Rubella] 
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B
• 2 doses of Varicella [Chicken Pox] (Note: Waived if a parent/guardian completes a “Documentation of Varicella Disease” form.  This form is available at school, on the BES website, and on the Department of Health website. 

When there is a medical reason that a child should not have an immunization, or if parents have a moral or religious objection to immunization, an exemption form must be completed.  Forms are available at school, on the BES website (scroll to the bottom of this page), and on the Department of Health website.

For a complete version of the regulations, go to http://healthvermont.gov/hc/imm/index.aspx. 

Please contact Lynne Jakubauskas if you have any questions about the requirements.

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Click on the links below to access forms you may need.  Print them out, fill in the necessary information and sign them and then send them in to school.

Permission Form for Medication Use on Field Trip
Permission Form for Non-prescription Medication Use at School
Permission Form for Prescription Medication Use at School
Form to Document That Child Has Had Varicella (Chicken Pox)
School Immunization Exemption Form