Practical Swine Flu Prevention Tips for Teachers

According to Dr. Erika Schwartz, Medical Director of Cinergy Health, as kids gear up for back-to-school, adults may be leery about health concerns.  The CDC recently reported 436 deaths and 6,506 hospitalizations nationwide associated with Swine Flu.  No one knows what this school year has in store, so what must be done to make sure your child’s classroom is Swine Flu safe? 

• Teach your students to wash their hands throughout the day.
• There is no reason to explain in detail the symptoms or effects of the flu to children. Younger children will not understand and adolescents will get scared. Teaching them to maintain healthy lifestyles is all they need to learn from you.
• Remind the students not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands. Germs are spread when a child touches something that is contaminated and then touches her or his eyes, nose or mouth. Also they spread when kids sneeze and cough without covering. 
• If you notice a child with the beginning symptoms of a flu or cold, let their parents know immediately. Helping prevent the flu or cold developing with vitamin C, hydration, rest and chicken soup is critical.

• There is no need to frighten the children by wearing a mask or using gloves.   If they see their teacher being hysterical or nervous they will imitate and results will be counter productive.
• There is no reason to explain in detail the symptoms or effects of the flu to children. Younger children will not understand and adolescents will get scared. Teaching them to maintain healthy lifestyles is all they need to learn from you.