As back-to-school time fast approaches, the CDC is bracing for another flu season that could potentially be more severe than the last. This is why they just released their latest recommendations for state and local public health officials and school administrators on how best to prepare and survive the 2009-2010 academic year. Most of the points are common sense flu-prevention guidelines. However, the CDC is focusing less on mass school closures than on keeping sick children apart from their classmates. The most current recommendations are:
- Students should stay home when they are sick. They should remain home for at least 24 hours after they are symptom free, without the use of antipyretics.
- Ill students and staff should be isolated apart from healthy individuals until they can be sent home. Face masks should be worn by all who are presumed to have the flu.
- Wash your hands frequently and exercise good habits – always cover yourself with a tissue. Use your sleeves as a last resort.
- School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
- Those who develop flu symptoms should speak with their school health worker as soon as possible.
Read more CDC Guidelines. Share your comments here.
Tags: CDC, flu, flu season, H1N1, masks, school, swine
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
August 10th, 2009 at 6:06 am
I find it disturbing that the CDC guidelines on influenza prevention fail to place proper rest and diet at the top of the list. If our body’s immune system can eliminate myriad cancer cells each day, it can certainly ward off the flu virus if we simply eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which boost immunity, and get enough sleep each night. I haven’t had the flu since 1998, which ironically, is the only time in my life that I’ve ever received an influenza vaccination. Why? Because I eat right, minimize my exposure to toxins, get adjusted by my chiropractor regularly, exercise daily and practice peace management principles in my life. Good health always begins with these practices, and unfortunately our medical community chooses to promote treatment over HOW to prevent it in the first place. Also, are you familiar with the work of Dr. Andrew Moulden, MD? He is the developer of Brain-guard, a neurovascular imaging tool, which has been developed for neurologist and hematologists. This imaging tool has detected micro-vascular strokes in children following routine vaccination , and is implicated in the subsequent development of autism. How much longer will we promote this dangerous practice? I’m sure you’re aware of the thimerosal (Hg) that was used for years as a preservative, and which now has been replaced in many vaccines with the lovely aluminum and formaldehyde. When are we going to wake up and realize that we can’t put these substances into our bodies without consequence? Standard of care aside, what about our moral and ethical obligation to protect the public and do no harm.
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Dam waited so long i forgot what i wanted,I was told i had a.l.s.,with a window of 1 year to 16 mounth”s well they were wrong.While in hosp. for a unrelated subject.The neuroligest came in saw her patent in my room.When leaving she gave me her card and ask,ed to see her now had her own practice. The doctor working me ask;ed her when i was told. her responce i never told him that.She did”nt know i had copied ever thing.Got devorced. did”nt speak to daugter for to years, was in mental ward of another hosp.When i first had e.m.g. i ask”ed her partner if a level of creatine canise of 670 was normal,responce was it could be.Dont trust a docter ask for a second apinion;W