May 5, 2009 – The Department of Human Services Head Start program advises parents with children in the program to practice safe measures to reduce the spread of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. Parents are urged to take note if their child develops a fever, cough, sore throat, body and headaches, chills and fatigue, and occasional vomiting and diarrhea. They are also asked to monitor their children’s fluid intake, crying habits, or worsening symptoms, and to seek medical attention if there seems to be a struggle with rapid or difficult breathing, evidence of skin discoloration, or lack of interaction and irritability.
Hand sanitizers are available for use in each Head Start center, and parents are invited to use them before and after signing in their children. Children are to be kept at home if symptoms are evident.