H1N1 Influenza

Information for Schools, Child Care Providers and Parents

H1N1 influenza (swine flu) has been identified in Multnomah County and in Oregon. The CDC no longer advises school closure. The decision to close schools will ultimately be made based on the extent and severity of disease in the local area by the local health department, in consultation with school officials.

Parents

Is it safe for my child to go to day care or school?

Yes. Unless your child is sick, there is no need to keep them at home.

What if my child is sick?

If your child becomes ill with fever and other flu symptoms like cough, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea, your child may have H1N1 influenza. Most people will recover at home with self care.

Children should not return to school or child care until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F or 37.8°C), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

See the CDC Web site for more advice about symptoms, warning signs, treatment and caring for a sick person.

Child Care Providers

Children with symptoms of an influenza-like illness should not come to child care. Remind parents and enforce policies for having ill children stay at home during their illness. Download a notice to child care providers that you can use to inform child care staff about how to prepare for H1N1.

Spanish | Russian | Chinese | Vietnamese

More Info
CDC Info for Child Care Providers
Oregon DHS Resources for Schools and Child Care Facilities
Posters, Fact Sheets, Videos

Schools & Higher Education

As a school official, what information can I send my students home with?

Letters to parents should cover the following points:

• instructions for what to do if their child is sick
• symptoms to look for
• measures parents and students can take to prevent the spread of disease
• where to find additional information

Download a sample communication for parents and caregivers.

Make sure the language, culture and reading level used in communications are appropriate. Ask community leaders that represent different language and/or ethnic groups to participate in disseminating public health messages within their communities.

What should I do if a lot of students at my school have been sick?

Dismissal of students will be considered in schools with confirmed cases. The decision to close schools will be made based on the extent and severity of disease in the local area by the local health department, in consultation with school officials.

More Info
Oregon DHS Resources for Schools and Child Care Facilities
CDC Guidance For Colleges & Universities

Teach Healthy Habits

Download posters, fact sheets, and videos to teach and remind others about healthy habits at your workplace, school, child care center or community organization.

Page updated October 13, 2009