TAMA NEWS-HERALD (SPECIAL) – The number of Iowa schools with absences due to influenza-like illness is rising. Monday, October 12, 56 schools in 23 counties reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) that at least 10 percent of their enrollment was absent due to illness. The average percent absent for the schools reporting was 15 percent of students out due to illness.

“This is not unexpected,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “So far with H1N1 influenza, the largest number of cases has been in people between the ages of 5 and 24. Schools are a typical place where viruses spread among students, from students to their teachers, and from students to their families.” Because the H1N1 vaccine is being allocated to states on a staggered basis and may not be immediately available to all school children, it is important for students to be watchful for the signs of influenza and take action to prevent the spread of the virus at their schools.

By planning ahead, child care can be easier for everyone. Parents can contact others in the neighborhood or parents from their children’s classroom to make prior arrangements for ill children. For example, parents can stagger their time off from work by arranging for several children to go to one parent’s home one day, and someone else’s the next. If you have several ill children in one home, it’s a good idea to keep them in separate rooms if possible. This will help slow the spread of any additional viruses circulating among the kids.

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal flu and include a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 flu may also have diarrhea and vomit. Because H1N1 is spread by person-to-person contact, it is important for students who are ill to stay home from school until their cough significantly improves and they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

For more information about H1N1 influenza, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/default.asp