THE CHILDREN'S CENTRE H1N1 STRATEGY

The Children's Centre H1N1 Strategy is focused on prevention. Our staff members are constantly exposed to bodily fluids, making childcare centres a perfect environment for infection and transmission of any virus. The Board of Directors, along with the help of a doctor, have developed the following H1N1 Strategy.

The Children's Centre will not close if children become infected with H1N1. However, we have a very limited number staff and substitute teachers. If staff members become ill, we will be forced to cancel programming at the centre. To help avoid any closures, we are looking for more volunteer 'Substitute Teachers'. Anyone interested in volunteering for this role should contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Amy Bishop to fill out the necessary paper work required by The Department of Child Care Services.

Infection occurs through 'droplets'. Strict following of - Cover, Clean, Contain Policy will be followed at The Children's Centre. This means:
- Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
- Use a tissue or your arm to cover coughs and sneezes.
- Contain your illness by staying home and resting.

These three principles of personal hygiene will help keep you healthy and prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses to other people. Let's all do our part by remembering The Three C's. Clean, Cover and Contain at home and at the Centre.

- The Board of Director are recommending staff be vaccinated.

- We have been asked to inform parents that Public Health Agency of Canada recommends annual flu shots for all children 6-23 months and all Canadians 2-64 years are encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine.

- If a staff person develops flu like symptoms, they should be tested for H1N1. This way we can all be confident that staff members are not passing the virus on to our children.

- If a case of H1N1 has been diagnosed (in children or staff) parents will be notified by a poster in the main hallway and an e-mail notice.

- Parents are encouraged to have back-up child care in place in case the centre is forced to close or your child becomes ill.

- If your child is experiencing any flu like symptoms please do not bring them to the Centre. Ill children will not be permitted to remain at the centre. Staff will ask that you bring your child home.

- If your child develops symptoms while at the centre, you will be called to come and pick him/her up ASAP. Due to lack of space, we cannot provide a comfortable 'quarantine' room to sick children.

- Please ensure that staff members have multiple emergency contact numbers to contact parents and other family members.

- Staff and children who are ill must stay at home until they have recovered - this means:
- 24 hours after symptoms are gone
- or 7 days past on-set of symptoms
-which ever is longest

For more information go to -www.fightflu.ca and www.health.gov.nl.ca

SYMPTOMS

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF H1N1?
The symptoms caused by the H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include:
* Fever
* Cough
* Sore throat
* Body aches
* Headaches
* Chills
* Fatigue
Some people with H1N1 flu also experience vomiting and diarrhea. People infected with the virus can spread the disease starting the day before the develop symptoms, while they have symptoms, and for up to seven days after the symptoms are gone. Children can be contagious for longer.

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS IN CHILDREN
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish colour
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Fever with a rash
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return along with fever and worse cough

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS IN ADULTS
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting