Round Two of the Swine Flu?

The main questions many people have been asking are:

What’s the deal with swine flu?

Is there a vaccine to help prevent H1N1 influenza?

What are the symptoms?

Are there side effects?

“Our school follows the same protocols as the Department of Education and the Department of Health. Posters of guidelines are being posted around the school. Also, parents are warned to have their child stay home if they show symptoms of the swine flu, such as a fever,” said Principal, Ms. Aimee Horowitz.

People have become ill with swine flu since April 2009. Since then, Mexico and Canada have reported cases of the new strain.

H1N1 influenza spreads from person-to-person, just the way normal seasonal influenza viruses spread.

The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Symptoms usually last from seven to ten days.

To stay well there are precautions one can take:

• Cleaning of cafeterias, bathrooms and hard surfaces such as doorknobs should be maintained every day.

• There should be plentiful supplies of soap and paper towels in the bathrooms at all times.

• Make sure windows are opened as much as possible to promote ventilation and circulation in the air.

• The school administration in conference with the NYCDOE and NYCDOHMH will make sure there is the appropriate personal protective equipment maintained in school

• Staff members should not interfere with the operations of the medical office, only for the purposes of safety.

• If students or staff have flu symptoms, they should stay home and isolated at least 24 hours after they are free of fever

• The NYCDOE and NYCDOHMH will plan and provide coverage for schools that do not have a nurse or other health care personnel and coverage for school nurses who are out sick.

Recently, the FDA approved a vaccine for the H1N1 influenza virus which should be distributed sometime in October.

“The vaccine is optional, but the healthcare professions are bumped to the top of the list for obtaining the shot,” said Administration Nurse at Staten Island University Hospital, Lucille Pistilli.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, people with life-threatening allergies to chicken eggs or to any other material inside the vaccine, should not be vaccinated.

Also, certain people are more vulnerable to the swine flu, such as children under two, pregnant women and people taking immune suppressant drugs.

“Vaccinations should be mandatory for school, to protect and prevent students from the swine flu. Although, I think the swine flu is just as bad as any other flu. Children and elderly people are at more risk to catch the swine flu because their immune system is not that great. Here in the United States, people could be treated better than in Mexico because we have more supplies and medicine,” said junior, Devan LaBarbera.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, vaccines help prevent infections and viruses. After the vaccine is injected, the body’s immune system produces antibodies that will fight off infection if the body comes in contact with the virus.

“I feel that vaccinations are a good idea to prevent a virus or disease, but they can also make a situation worse. Especially after a shot is given, there are high chances that side effects are going to occur,” said senior Katie McSherry.

According to UFT.org, the United Federation of Teachers is working together with the New York City Department of Education and New York City Department of Health to make sure schools are prepared.

“I think the swine flu is similar to any other seasonal flu, so the vaccine might be similar as well. I would get the vaccine shot if my doctor recommends doing so,” said senior Josephine Barone.

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Related posts:

1. Swine Flu – Goes Global