Schools work to protect against swine flu

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Since the days before school began again this month, health care providers have been working hard to keep the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, out of Franklin County Schools.
Franklin County's School Health Service Director Diane Baker, said the best defense against the swine flu is proper hand washing and covering coughs properly.
"We've went over proper hand washing with the entire faculty as well as students," Baker said. "We have also been stressing the proper way to cover a cough with the students."
Baker said the proper way to cover a cough is known as coughing into their sleeves.
"If the students cough into their sleeves, the germs don't get on their hands and onto other objects," Baker said.
Baker said all the schools nurses are diligent about checking students who are suspected to be ill.
"Right now we are going by the guidelines dictated by the Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control," Baker said.
Those guidelines say any student who has a fever of 100 degrees or more, a persistent cough or sore throat will be sent home. Students may not return to school until they have been fever free without medication for 24 hours.
Baker said the upcoming start of sporting events is a concern. She stresses that anyone with a fever should limit contact with the public.
"Anyone with a fever should avoid contact with others until they are fever free for 24 hours without medication," Baker said.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Franklin County has had no confirmed cases of the virus. However, Winston and Marion Counties have had one confirmed case in each county. Lauderdale County has four confirmed cases while Colbert County has three confirmed cases.
Baker said the school will have access to the swine flu vaccine in the coming months, but it has not been released to the public at this time.
"We know we will get the vaccine, but we don't have a timeline on when it will be available," Baker said.
When it is becomes available to the public, the school system will have access to the vaccinations, but they will be administered by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
For more information on the H1N1 flu, or swine flu, visit www.adph.org.