U.S. schools and universities prepare for H1N1

During swine flu's outbreak in the month of April, dozens of schools in California and elsewhere had to be closed down, after majority of cases were confirmed among the students.

Though the education officials want to keep the schools closed, but will consult public health officials regarding the closure if further widespread illness is reported.

Kathleen Kilpatrick, nurse at Watsonville High and several other sites in the Pajaro Valley Unified district, sends back any student who has fever to his home. She encourages parents to contact a medical professional if flu-like symptoms (typically that of a fever, cough and sore throat) are severe.

"We are trying to treat this as a potentially infectious illness we don't want to have spread," said Kilpatrick. "We don't know how serious this one is going to be."

"The message right now is that school is the best place for a healthy child. If you are sick, stay home, and it is everyone's responsibility to stop the spread of flu," said JoAnn Allen, student support services coordinator for the county Office of Education.

With classes resuming this week for North and Mid-County areas, everyone including teachers and staff members, are urged to frequently wash their hands and turn the bends of their arms as the resting place for coughs and sneezes.

Teachers encouraged to take home-lessons
Problem with this fall lies in distinguishing between swine flu and the regular flu. Keeping the sick at home can mean an unexpected child care expenses for parents, and loss of attendance revenue for the already budget-strapped schools.

Therefore, the school teachers are encouraged to prepare take home-lessons, that can help schools to recapture their state funds. Educators all across the region are urging employers to allow parents to tend to their sick children.

"The main thing we are hoping to have happen if it gets worse is to make sure our health staff gets the opportunity to have immunizations," Kilpatrick said. "We would help to encourage parents to get children immunizations."

"I feel that we are ready. I feel that it's an evolution. As we learn more, we will put more information out there," said Allen.

Children among government's priority list for issuing vaccines
As the swine flu vaccines pass their clinical trials, children along with pregnant women are in the priority list for receiving the shot.

Public health officials have recommended people to also get the seasonal flu shot, though it does not offer protection against H1N1 infection.