The Placer County Community Health PHN Supervisor would like feedback on the H1N1 vaccination process that occurred at WHS last fall:
We would also be very interested in any feedback we can receive from parents. The following link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7NZ6BML is specifically for parents. .... you would be providing us an opportunity to receive important feedback. Again, the information is voluntary and confidential.
Last night, Woodcreek High School hosted two informational meetings regarding...
...the recent case of tuberculosis in a Woodcreek student. The student is not currently attending WHS, and there are very strict and clear guidelines as to how the student would be cleared to return to school.
Parents of students who have been identified as at-risk have already been notified. At last night's meeting held for those parents, the Placer County Office of Health and Human Services presented information about tuberculosis, answered questions and provided handouts (Letter to parents of contacts, TB Fact Sheet) for parents. Additionally, parents were requested to provide clearance for their student to be tested for tuberculosis. A Health Questionnaire form and Parent Consent Form were distributed. If you were unable to attend the meeting last night and are the parent of a student who was identified as at-risk, please review the documents in the links provided.
Testing will be conducted at WHS on Wednesday, December 9th, and results read on Friday, December 11th. The PCOHHS is only providing tests to students who have been identified as at-risk of exposure to the student.
An informational meeting was also held for the general public last night. Again, the PCOHHS provided information, answered questions and provided handouts (Letter to parents of non-contacts, TB Fact Sheet). The PCOHHS may be reached at 530-889-7141 for further information regarding this issue.
In coordination with the Placer County Health and Human Services Department, H1N1 vaccinations will be provided on December 10, 2009 at Woodcreek High School. Consent forms were distributed to students during their second period class on November 16, 2009 and are due back by Friday, November 20, 2009 in the Attendance office. Vaccinations will be provided for as many students as possible, though due to a limited number of vaccines available, we may not be able to accommodate all students on this date.
Please contact our school nurse, Denise LaFazia at 771-6565 x4633 if you have any questions.
Below are some forms and information in PDF format provided by the Placer County Health and Human Services Department:
School-Parent Letter Regarding H1N1 Vaccinations in Schools
School H1N1 Vaccination Consent Form
This post will provide updates and information regarding H1N1 and the actions and recommendations Woodcreek High School and other agencies are taking. Updates will be provided here. Most recent update: September 30, 2009.
H1N1 Update 9/30/09
It has been a few weeks since we first posted a notification of the H1N1 virus at Woodcreek High School. Since then we've seen a gradual decline in the number of students reported out with flu like symptoms. As was stated in a previous posting it is extremely difficult to determine which of these students out ill actually had H1N1 since many doctors stopped testing for the virus and treated the flu in a normal flu like manner. Regardless, we encourage parents to stay diligent and assist us in staying informed, adhering to sanitary practices, and keeping us informed when your student gets ill. There is a tentative plan for WHS to host a day where the Placer County Health Office will provide H1N1 vaccinations. More information as to the when, where and how will be forthcoming.
Please feel free to contact our school Nurse Denise LaFazia, if you have any questions at 771-6565x4633.
Notices
The following notices provide information and updates from agencies regarding the H1N1 virus. They include information on prevention and actions being taken to address the H1N1 virus.
H1N1 Notice For the Parents Of Placer County Students - provided the the Placer County Office of Health and Human Services Department
H1N1 Interim Recommendations: K-12 Schools - provided by the Roseville Joint Union High School District
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm - Website at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with H1N1 information.
Information and Frequently Asked Questions regarding H1N1
What is the flu?
The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. Flu viruses cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year. There are many different flu viruses and sometimes a new flu virus emerges to make people sick.
What is Novel H1N1 flu?
Novel H1N1 flu is a new and very different influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people. This new virus was called "swine flu" at first because it has pieces of flu viruses found in pigs in the past. However, novel H1N1 virus has not been detected in U.S. pigs.
Influenza is unpredictable, but scientists believe that the new H1N1 virus will cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States over the coming months.This flu season, the new virus may cause a lot more people to get sick than during a regular flu season. It also may cause more hospital stays and deaths than seasonal flu.
How serious is the flu?
The flu can be very serious, especially for younger children and children of any age who have one or more chronic medical conditions. These conditions include asthma or other lung problems, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, heart problems and nuerological and nuerolmuscular disorders. These conditions can result in more severe illness from influenza, including the new H1N1 virus.
How does flu spread?
Both novel H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are thought to spread mostly from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People also may get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Symptoms of seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea.
How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?
People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with novel H1N1 flu.
How can I protect my child against flu?
Get a seasonal flu vaccine for yourself and your child to protect against seasonal flu viruses.
Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. This includes:
Teach your child to take these actions too.
Try to keep your child from having close contact (about 6 feet) with sick people, including anyone in the household who is sick.
Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.
Is there a vaccine to protect my child from H1N1 flu?
A vaccine against novel H1N1 flu is being produced and will be available in the coming months as an option for the prevention of the new H1N1 flu. A vaccine against seasonal flu is available each fall and winter. More information about the new H1N1 flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine is available on the CDC Web site.
Is there medicine to treat the flu?
Antiviral drugs can treat both seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu. These drugs can make people feel better and get better sooner. But they need to be prescribed by a doctor and they work best when started during the first 2 days of illness. These drugs can be given to children. The priority use for these drugs is to treat people who are seriously ill or who have a medical condition that puts them at high risk of serious flu complications.
