Nurse's Office - H1N1 Resource Center

H1N1 Information

Swine Flu or H1N1 Flu is a new type of flu virus that has started to make people sick in the US and around the world since April 2009. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, runny nose, vomiting, dirrhea and fatigue. It can be spread from person to person, just like the regular flu.

 

H1N1 Vaccine Information

In cooperation with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), St. Joseph's Prep will be offering pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine on Monday, October 26 to any student interested. The vaccine will be administered free of charge during school hours. All students must return a consent form signed by their parents/guardians in order to be administered the vaccine. The consent form must be returned by Wednesday, October 21. We will only have enough vaccines for those who return the consent form.

 

Prevention Tips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following 4 measures to decrease potential for getting the H1N1 flu:

1. Practice Good Hand Hygiene
   Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be used when available. Also, keep your fingernails trimmed.
    
2. Cover Your Mouth and Nose
   Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
    
3. Stay Home If You Are Sick
   Stay home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (without using fever-reducing medicine such as Tylonel, Mortin, etc.). Staying at home will help prevent the spread of the virus from you to others in the community.
    
4. Get Vaccinated
   This season, get the vaccines for both the regular flu and the H1N1 flu once they become available.

 

Closure Information

In the unlikely event that an outbreak of H1N1 causes the Prep to close for any period of time, students and parents should check this online resource center for information. We will also communicate important updates with families via email and the AlertNow phone messaging system.

 

 

Additional Online Resources

• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• New Jersey Department of Health
• Philadelphia Department of Public Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Flu.gov Resource Center