Guidance
for Child Care Providers
Regarding Swine Flu
This
guidance will be continually updated as the situation evolves.
A novel (new) swine influenza
virus has begun causing illness in children and adults in Texas
and other states and countries. Symptoms of these novel swine
flu infections are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu that
are seen every year. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some individuals with
swine flu also report runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Like seasonal flu, swine
flu in humans can vary from mild to severe. Certain groups
might be more likely to develop a severe illness from swine flu
infection, such as persons with chronic medical conditions.
Sometimes bacterial infections may occur at the same time as or
after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonias, ear
infections, or sinus infections.
Also like seasonal flu,
the swine flu virus is passed from person to person through droplets
(coughing, sneezing) or by touching contaminated surfaces and then
touching eyes, nose, or mouth. Parents and child care providers
can work together to help prevent the spread of swine flu and protect
children and their families.
Preventing the
Spread of Swine Flu in Child-Care Settings
Remind Children
and Child-Care Providers to keep hands clean
- Child-care providers
and children should use soap and water to wash hands frequently
or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner frequently if hand washing
amenities are not available.
- Child-care providers
should wash their hands between contacts with infants and children,
such as before meals or feedings, after wiping the child’s
nose or mouth, after touching objects such as tissues or surfaces
soiled with saliva or nose drainage, after diaper changes, and
after assisting a child with toileting.
- Child-care providers
should wash the hands of infants and toddlers frequently or use
an alcohol-based hand cleaner frequently if hand washing amenities
are not available.
- Encourage children
to wash hands frequently. Teach children to wash hands for 15-20
seconds (long enough for children to sing the “Happy Birthday”
song twice).
- Oversee the use of
alcohol-based hand cleaner by children and avoid using these on
the sensitive skin of infants and toddlers.
- When using alcohol-based
hand cleaner rub hands thoroughly until the alcohol has dried.
- Keep alcohol-based
hand cleaner out of the reach of children to prevent unsupervised
use.
- Ensure that sink locations
and restrooms are stocked with soap and paper towels or working
hand dryers.
- Ensure that each child
care room and diaper changing area is supplied with alcohol-based
hand cleaner when sinks for washing hands are not readily accessible.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are not recommended when hands are
visibly soiled.
Keep the child
care environment clean and make sure that supplies are available.
- Clean frequently touched
surfaces, toys, and commonly shared items at least daily and when
visibly soiled.
- Use an Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)-registered household disinfectant labeled
for activity against bacteria and viruses, an EPA-registered hospital
disinfectant, or EPA-registered chlorine bleach/hypochlorite solution.
Always follow label instructions when using any EPA-registered
disinfectant. If EPA-registered chlorine bleach is not available
and a generic (i.e., store brand) chlorine bleach is used, mix
¼ cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of cool water.
- Keep disinfectants
out of the reach of children.
Remind children
and care providers to cover their noses and mouths when sneezing
or coughing.
- Advise children and
care providers to cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when
sneezing or coughing, and to put their used tissue in a waste
basket.
- Make sure that tissues
are available in all nurseries, child care rooms, and common areas
such as reading rooms, classrooms, and rooms where meals are provided.
- Encourage care providers
and children to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand
rub as soon as possible, if they have sneezed or coughed on their
hands.
Observe all children
for symptoms of respiratory illness
- Prior to parents leaving
a child at the child care setting, screen the child for symptoms
of influenza-like illness to avoid exposing non-infected children
and child-care providers.
- Observe closely all
infants and children for symptoms of respiratory illness. Notify
the parent if a child develops a fever (over 99˚F under the
arm, over 99.5˚F orally, or over 100.0˚F rectally) or
chills, cough, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches.
- Send sick children
home, if possible, and advise the parent to contact the child’s
doctor. Separate the child who is sick from other children
until the parent or caregiver takes the child home.
- If you observe children
with symptoms of respiratory illness, report these symptoms to
your local health department or local health authority.
- Infants and young
children can become quite ill with influenza very quickly, and
might require urgent medical attention and possibly hospitalization.
If a child has difficulty breathing, is lethargic, or appears
to be worsening rapidly, consider calling a physician or 911 in
addition to notifying a parent.
Require parents
of sick children to keep their children home.
- Parents of sick children
must keep the children home and away from the child care setting
until the children have been without fever for 24 hours, to prevent
spreading illness to others.
- Children who are sick
with swine influenza must stay out of child care for seven (7)
days after the start of influenza-like illness and fever is gone.
Require sick
child-care providers to stay home.
- Require sick child-care
providers to stay home until they are well and have no fever.
- Child care providers
who have swine flu must stay home for seven (7) days after the
start of influenza-like illness and fever is gone.
Make sure children
and child-care providers are immunized.
- Children should be
up to date on all vaccinations, including influenza vaccine for
those over 6 months old. Childhood
Schedule
- Child-care provider
should be up to date on all adult vaccinations, including annual
influenza vaccine, Tdap (tetanus/diptheria/pertussis), and, for
those over 65 or with chronic illnesses or smokers, pneumoccocal
vaccine. Adult
Immunization Schedule
Consult your
local health department when increases in respiratory illness occur
in the child care setting.
Resources: CDC Resources available:
Fuente
Texas, Department of Health Services
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us
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