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CDC Offers Swine Flu Tips for Child Care Providers

Parents' cooperation needed to minimize the spread of disease

May 2, 2009

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As the swine flu (H1N1) virus continues to spread across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these tips for child-care providers, both those who care for children in their home and those who work in centers:

• Tell parents about any policies for having sick children stay at home during their illness. Children with symptoms of a flu-like illness should not come to school. Symptoms of flu include:

The child's doctor will determine whether influenza testing is needed and when the child can return to child care.

• In most areas, children with other mild illnesses including allergies may attend child care as long they are able to participate comfortably. Their care must not result in a need for more care than the staff can do without harming the health and safety of the other children (Caring for Our Children- Standard 3.065).

• Tell workers not to come to work if they have symptoms of the new H1N1 (swine flu). They should consult their doctor to find out if an influenza test is needed.

• Health departments in areas where people have this new flu may have stronger recommendations including child care center closing. Providers should stay informed on what is happening in their communities.

• Children who are sick may infect others for up to 10 days after their symptoms start. Adults may infect others while sick for 5-7 days. If a child has been sick with this flu, the child’s doctor and the health department may decide when the child can return to the child care program.

• Establish a system to track sickness and absences with children and staff. The system should be simple and easy to keep up with. Keep a record of the number of persons with various illnesses (e.g., respiratory, diarrhea, rash) by day or at least by week.

• These guidelines may be helpful to prevent the spread of this flu in child care facilities.

• Remind child care staff to clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces within the facility.

• Give information to parents on actions that they can take to prevent flu. (Distribute the attached fact sheet to each parent or post on doors to the facility.

• Follow the CDC web site about this virus (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu) and state or local health department web sites for information about possible closure or changes in operation.

• Let parents know if you suspect a child has symptoms of this new flu and consult with their doctor. Contact your child care health consultant or local public health department if you need help to make decisions quickly about health of the children as a group.

Remind children, parents and child care staff to use every day preventive actions that parents can initiate to protect their children.

Find out everything you need to know about swine flu.

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