Parents, Schools, Child Care Centres and Post-Secondary Institutions

• H1N1 Flu Virus: Questions and Answers for Parents, Schools and Child Care Centres
• Important Information for Parents with Children under 14
• Second Dose for Children
• Resources for Parents, Schools and Child Care Centres
• Resources for Post-Secondary Institutions
• Translated Resources
• Where can I get more information?

H1N1 Flu Virus: Questions and Answers for Parents, Schools and Child Care Centres

What is the H1N1 flu virus?
The H1N1 flu virus is a respiratory (breathing) illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular seasonal flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. The H1N1 flu virus has appeared around the world, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a pandemic influenza virus.

How contagious is this virus?
The H1N1 flu virus spreads like seasonal flu. When infected people cough or sneeze, droplets are released into the air. If other people are close by (within 2 metres or 6 feet), they may breathe in the droplets, which can lead to infection. People may also get infected by touching droplets on a person’s hands or droplets that may have landed on hard surfaces such as door knobs, and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

Why are people worried about the H1N1 flu virus?
Since the H1N1 flu virus is a new type of virus, most people don’t have the immunity to fight it. This means that more people could get infected compared to an average year.

Will schools be closed if many students, staff members or volunteers have the H1N1 flu?
The H1N1 flu virus is circulating in our communities; therefore, closing schools is not an effective way to control the spread of the virus. Even when not in school, students may still be at risk of getting the virus by spending time in close proximity in malls or movie theatres.

Should school staff who are pregnant stay home to reduce the risk of being infected with the H1N1 flu virus?
No. School staff should only stay home if they are feeling sick. To reduce their risk of getting or spreading the H1N1 flu virus, pregnant women should follow infection prevention practices such as washing their hands, coughing into their sleeve or a tissue, staying home when ill, and getting their seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines.

Important Information for Parents with Children under 14

Children under 14 years of age need a signed consent form from their parent/legal guardian to get the vaccine. Please read the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet, fill out the Consent Form and the Health History form, and bring both forms with you to the clinic.

• H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Consent Form (56KB, 2 pages)
• H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Health History Form (53KB, 2 pages)

Resources for Parents, Schools and Child Care Centres

The following items are resources that you can print and put up around your school or child care centre.

• Preschool-GR 1 Handwashing Poster (306KB, 1 page colour)
• GR 2-5 Handwashing Poster ( 807KB, 2 pages, colour and black and white)
• GR 2-5 Handwashing Poster FRENCH (135KB, 1 page colour)
• Staff (Adult) Handwashing Poster for Washrooms and Common Spaces (450KB, 1 page, colour)
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Elementary and Secondary Schools
  English (59KB, 3 pages)
  French  (51KB, 4 pages)

Resources for Post-Secondary Institutions

The following items are resources that you can print and put up around your school.

• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Virus in Colleges and Universities (48KB, 4 pages)

Translated Resources

H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) Precautions Flyer
The following items are printed in English but include a small statement in various languages directing the reader to have the information translated. They are not full translations.

• Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil, Hindi and Gujarati [423KB, 1 page]
• Chinese and Vietnamese [299KB, 1 page]
• Polish, French, Spanish and Tagalog [125KB, 1 page]
• Arabic and Farsii [125KB, 1 page]

Where can I get more information?
If you have questions you can access information on the current influenza A (H1N1) virus through the following websites:

• Peel Public Health: www.peelregion.ca/health
• Public Health Agency of Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: www.health.gov.on.ca
• World Health Organization: www.who.int

You can also contact Peel Public Health from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 905-799-7700. Caledon residents can call toll free at 905-584-2216.

Sources:

1. Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit. H1N1 Flu Virus (human swine flu) Q and A for Families with School Aged Children.
2. Halton Region Health Department. H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Influenza) Q and A for Families with School Aged Children.
3. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (May 19 2009). Guidance for Management of Patients with Influenza-like Illness (ILI) in Ambulatory Settings.