Southern Boone School District Officials are monitoring the H1N1 (Swine) Flu Outbreak.  We are staying in daily communications with the Boone County Health Department and monitor the latest information from state agencies as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Stay informed.  Center for Disease Control:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• 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.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick.  CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution.  This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information

What is H1N1 (Swine) flu?
H1N1 (Swine) influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses.  People do not normally get H1N1 (Swine) flu, but human infections can and do happen.  In late March and early April, cases of human infection with H1N1 (Swine) flu were reported in several countries and in locations within the United States.

How is H1N1 (Swine) flu spread?
H1N1 (Swine) flu is spread like seasonal flu, when a person coughs or sneezes, sending contaminated respiratory droplets into the air where another person may inhale them.  Sometimes people may become infected by touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching their own eyes, nose or mouth.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 (Swine) flu?
The symptoms of H1N1 (Swine) flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, runny or stuffy nose and fatigue.  Some people have reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failures) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 (Swine) flu infections in people.  Like seasonal flu, H1N1 (Swine) flu may cause underlying chronic medical conditions to worsen.

Who is at risk for getting H1N1 (Swine) flu?
Cases of H1N1 (Swine) flu have most commonly occurred in people who have direct contact with infected swine.  People can also get sick from other infected people.  A person who has H1N1 (Swine) flu may be able to infect other people one day before his/her symptoms develop to seven days after showing symptoms.

What is the best way to protect myself against H1N1 (Swine) flu?
Two antiviral medications are currently proving to be effective against the strain of H1N1 (Swine) flu currently circulating in the United States.  However, antiviral medication may not be necessary for most people to recover from flu viruses.  A decision can best be made by each individual’s health care provider.

Resources for additional information:

Boone County Health Department – http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Health/

Center for Disease Control (CDC) -  http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/