Beaumont USD prepares for H1N1 virus
By Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District
BEAUMONT, CA - Beaumont Unified School District officials are closely watching the recent outbreak of swine flu, also known as H1N1 and are telling parents not to panic if their child appears to have symptoms of the illness.
Del Grace, the District nurse and a Registered Nurse Practitioner, said that students who show flu-like symptoms need to stay home to take care of themselves and to be sure the symptoms don't spread.
"We are following our infectious-disease protocol," said Grace, who is based at Beaumont High School. "That protocol says that if a student is ill, he or she should stay home."
In an effort to keep the flu out of Beaumont schools, custodians are disinfecting items such as doorknobs, sink faucets and dispensers a couple of times a day, said Vi Peña, Maintenance Department Office Clerk.
"We are being extra cautious, and we're reminding everyone that they need to wash their hands regularly" she said.
Grace said she has been getting many calls from concerned parents. She first asks about the symptoms; if they match those of the H1N1 flu, Grace instructs the parent to take the child to a doctor.
The symptoms can include elevated temperature, diarrhea and vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and nausea.
Federal officials have said that although it's called swine flu, the disease is not necessarily spread through contact with pigs or pork. The disease can spread "in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose," according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Website, http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm.
"We are going to get ready by reviewing our policy and infectious-disease guidelines," Grace said. "We can't just sit back and do nothing."
To help stop the spread of the illness, officials recommend the following:
• Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading the illness;
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue, which should be properly disposed of;
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
• Stay healthy - eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and get adequate rest and exercise.
For more detailed information about the H1N1 virus, go to the DCD Website, http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Dr. Barry Kayrell, Superintendent
(951) 845-1631 (Ext. 309)
bkayrell@beaumontusd.k.12.ca.us
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us/home.htm
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