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| Staying well during 'flu season
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'Flu season is upon us and with children under five at higher risk of complications arising from the 'flu virus it's important to maintain stringent 'flu prevention standards in your service.
In Australia anyone over the age of six months can be vaccinated against the 'flu and encouraging vaccination among staff and families is a great prevention strategy.
Other steps early childhood education and care providers can take include:
Requiring staff to stay at home if they have 'flu or 'flu like symptoms. Parents should also be reminded to keep children home under the same circumstances. Staff and children should stay home until they have a normal temperature.
Keeping an eye out for children who display 'flu symptoms and contacting parents if you are concerned. Some parents neglect to notice early symptoms and may need a reminder.
'Flu symptoms develop one to three days after infection and include:
- high fever, chills and sweating
- sore throat
- runny or stuffed nose
- weakness
- headache
- general muscle and joint pains (in the legs and back)
- a dry cough that may become more severe
If you notice a child with 'flu symptoms try and limit their contact with other children in the service until the parent/carer arrives to collect him or her.
Encourage high personal hygiene standards including good hand washing and nose blowing etiquette. The Better Health Victoria website recommends:
- Covering the nose and mouth with a paper tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Throwing tissues in a plastic-lined rubbish bin after use.
- Washing hands with soap and water, and if water is unavailable use an alcohol-based hand cleaner after you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread that way.
Ensuring you have a ready supply of soap and plenty of tissues and rubbish bins around will make it easier for children and staff to maintain these standards.
Remember also to maintain excellent hygiene standards around the service, routinely wipe down and clean surfaces, toys and any items that children regularly touch with their hands or mouths or which come into contact with any bodily fluids.
Also be sure to communicate your exclusion policies and hygiene policies well to staff and parents. Keep your written policy available and in a highly visible location so everyone has the information to hand when necessary.
For more information read the NHMRC's Staying Healthy in Child Care |
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