H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Update
Dear Kumon Parents,
As you are likely aware, incidents of illness caused by the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu), which first emerged last spring, continued throughout the U.S. and other countries all through the summer months, and public health officials anticipate an upsurge of cases in the fall, when children return to school and the weather turns cold, making the virus easier to spread. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you the advice being provided by public health officials about preventing transmission of the virus and about dealing with any cases that may arise in the community.
The most important advice I have been given is that parents of children who have signs and symptoms of H1N1 Flu - high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea - are asked to keep their children away from school and other group settings (such as Kumon Centers) until they have recovered and are free of symptoms. If children are prescribed antiviral drugs for treatment, they should also stay at home until they have finished the course of treatment. If your child or anyone in your family should get the flu, please notify me as soon as possible. For children obliged to stay home, I will prepare worksheet assignments for them to complete at home until it is deemed appropriate for them to return to the Kumon Center.
Staying informed is one of the best ways to stay healthy. You can obtain current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
Influenza of any kind spreads easily and is particularly transmittable from hand-to-mouth and person-to-person. Instructing your children of the following standard flu-season precautions can limit the spread of the spread of the H1N1 Flu and many other transmissible illnesses.
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Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is ideal. That's about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
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Teach your children the proper use of hand sanitizer. Gels and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Hand wipes must be disposed of properly. Always read and follow label instructions when using hand sanitizer.
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Teach your children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
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Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into their upper sleeve - not their hands. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown out immediately.
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Help your children to learn these healthy habits by setting a good example and always doing them yourself.
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Frequently clean hard surfaces, such as tables, countertops, desks, and door handles.
Kumon of Cypress is attentive to and acting in compliance with the alerts and recommendations of national and international health authorities to promote the ongoing health and welfare of our students and their families.
Thank you for your help in keeping our children healthy and our Kumon Centers safe.
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