Metro Health Department Expects Increase of Flu-Like Illness in Nashville
Provides Schools and Community With Guidance for Best Protection against Influenza
NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 25, 2009 -- Cases of H1N1 influenza are being reported in Davidson County and other areas in Tennessee. The Metro Public Health Department expects more cases with the start of the school year. Influenza like illness has been seen in schools in Davidson County.
The Health Department and Metro Nashville Public Schools are working together to make sure parents, teachers, and students consistently take precautions to reduce the spread of the flu virus. Those steps include:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with the crook of your elbow or a tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.
Students and adults who are sick should NOT come to school. In particular, both staff and students should stay home if they have symptoms of fever (over 100 degrees F) and cough or sore throat or runny nose or body aches. Ill persons must not return to school until 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
Parents and staff should contact their medical provider if they have questions or concerns about any illness or if symptoms are severe.
Children and adults who have been in contact with an ill person do not need to stay home if they are well. However they should closely monitor their health and stay home if they develop any symptoms. If symptoms develop while at school or work, students or staff members will be excluded from the classroom and they should go home immediately.
Parents should prepare for the possibility that they or their child may need to come home during a school day and to stay home for several days. There are no plans to close any school unless the number of ill children or teachers makes it difficult to stay open.
“Flu can be very disruptive in schools but we are doing everything we can to minimize that,” said Dr. Bill Paul, Metro Public Health Director. “We all need to take common-sense precautions to reduce the spread of the H1N1 flu.”
“Our staff is working diligently to ensure our schools are safe and healthy places for learning,” said Dr. Jesse Register. “We want to keep well children in school and learning, and give children who do develop the flu an opportunity to recover at home”
Updated information is available on the Health Department’s website: www.health.nashville.gov or by calling the Health Department’s H1N1 community information telephone number: 340-7775.