November 2009
Dear CCUSD Staff,
Parents and Community,
Our country, state and
community are feeling the effects of the flu season, whether the seasonal flu
or the H1N1 flu. School districts
receive almost daily updates from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and
Health Department. Although the
information is very helpful as we focus on how to best help our students,
families and staff, it has also caused some communication challenges as the information
has changed.
Flu symptoms are as
follows:
§
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. It hits hard and includes sudden
symptoms such as high fever, severe aches and pains.
§
Fever-a temp of 100°F or higher for 3-4 days is associated with
the flu.
§
A non-productive cough (sometimes referred to as a dry cough)
§
Chills
§
Tiredness is moderate to severe.
§
A headache is very common.
§
Chest discomfort is often severe.
Sue Braga, Executive Director of
the AZ Academy of Pediatrics has offered the following guidelines for
H1N1. She shares that testing for
H1N1 is not necessary since the results will not impact the treatment. Our state is only testing the most
severe cases. Ms. Braga recommends
that if you are normally healthy and suspect the flu, stay home, drink plenty
of fluids and treat any symptoms.
If your symptoms worsen after a few days or there is difficulty in
keeping fluids down, a doctor should then be notified. In addition, if
breathing becomes difficult, one experiences chest pains or cannot care for
themselves, seek immediate medical attention. When a sick child cannot hold down fluids or becomes less
responsive, again, contact a health care provider immediately.
Although the H1N1
vaccine has been slow in getting to Arizona, our elementary schools will have
vaccinations available for children from age 4 to fifth grade. This service,
"Zap the Flu at School," will be provided by the Mollen Clinic for any families
who would like to use it. As always, we encourage our families to educate
themselves and see if this is the right choice for their family. Both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines
will be available. Shots are
covered by most insurance plans, however, if a child does not have insurance,
the shots are free. All children
must be accompanied by an adult and may go to any of the sites on the following
days after school from 3:30 to 6:00 pm:
Black Mountain
Elementary-Wed., Nov. 4th
Lone Mountain
Elementary-Thurs., No. 5th
Desert Sun
Elementary-Fri., Nov. 6th
Horseshoe Trails
Elementary-Mon., Nov. 9th
Desert Willow
Elementary-Tues., Nov. 10th
Our staff
continues to educate our students on proper hygiene to restrict the spread of
flu with the most common deterrents, frequent hand washing and covering a cough
or sneeze with the inside of the elbow.
Our goal is to keep our entire CCUSD family as healthy as possible. See you in our schools.
Sincerely,
Debbi
Burdick
