Swine Flu (H1N1) Information for California Care Providers
April 28, 2009, letter from the California Department of Social Services
Excerpts of letter:
Dear Care Provider:
SUBJECT: PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST THE SWINE FLU
. . . the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention has reported recent outbreaks of the Swine Flu virus in California . . . The California Department of Social
Services is working with the California Department
of Public Health regarding universal health precautions that you can take to prevent
everyone
in your facility or school from catching or spreading the virus. . . .
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory
disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza
viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but
human infections can and do happen . . .
What can I do to protect myself . . .?
There is no vaccine available right now [Apr 28,
2009] to protect against swine flu. There are . . . actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses
like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
[or
use] alcohol-based hand cleaners . . .
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or
school
and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing
or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to
work or school if ill. . . .
What
should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like
symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health
care provider . . .
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble
breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want
to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with
fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
. . .
Sincerely,
Original signed by Jo Frederick
JO FREDERICK
Deputy Director
Community Care Licensing Division
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin . . . first detected
in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, . . . . a growing outbreak of illness
in the United States . . . increasing number of cases being reported internationally as well.
The Whitcomb Family Daycare (4503 Walnut Avenue, Long Beach) is just west of
Lakewood, just west of Cherry Ave, on the corner of Walnut Avenue and 45th Street.
(Preschoolers 2-3 years old)
Kelly Elementary School
Dec 10, 2009