An Unwelcome Eldersburg Visitor
Swine Flu Hits Area Children and Schools

The number one topic on television, radio and the front page is the H1N1 Swine Flu. It also seems to be the hot topic at any given bus stop, ball field and school parking lot in Eldersburg. There is good reason. Many cases of Swine Flu have been reported in Carroll County within the last two weeks.

Carroll County Times reported that Piney Ridge Elementary registered more than a 10 percent student absence rate the first week of October and nearly all of these cases were the H1N1 virus. Sykesville resident Jo Ann Huber was at home with her two sick children that week. “My kids were out of school for four days. The doctor told me that is was an upper respiratory virus and did not test for the Swine Flu. But, the symptoms my kids had were the same that my friend’s daughter had and she tested positive for the Swine Flu,” Huber said.

On October 20, Carroll County Public Schools updated the H1N1 section of the web site with absentee rates for county schools that are greater than 10%. At that time several county schools reported high levels of absent students, including the following Eldersburg area schools: Carrolltowne Elementary--88% attendance rate; Linton Springs Elementary--86%; Oklahoma Road Middle--88.4%; Century High School--86%. Carroll County Public Schools are required to report these statistics to the Carroll County Health Department and will be updating their own web site as a courtesy to inquiring parents.

Rose Jones is the mother of two students at Freedom Elementary. Her boys came down suddenly with flu symptoms overnight. “The doctor indicated right away the boys were symptomatic of the flu, especially my oldest son because he had some sort of redness in his eyes,” said Jones. Although not all doctors are testing for H1N1, her doctor performed a positive swab test.

The boys were also prescribed Tamiflu, a medication that can reduce the duration of flu symptoms by 1.3 days and has to be taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. “I think it really helped,” said Jones. Some area pediatricians are hesitant to prescribe the drug though because the patient’s immunity to future Swine Flu exposure can be strengthened without it.

Flu illness rates are high everywhere. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Maryland is one of 37 states reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. The CDC web site reports that visits to the doctor for influenza-like illness, hospital rates and the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza are now exceeding the normal trend for this time of year. Maryland reported the 10th death associated with H1N1 on Wednesday, October 14.

Methods of prevention

Parents don’t have to feel helpless though. There are everyday hygiene strategies that everyone can take to prevent the spread of this strong virus. It is important to remind children to:

-Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. If a tissue isn’t available they should use the bend of their arm instead of their hands.
-Wash hands often with soap and water. If water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Frequency is the key. They should wash before and after they eat, upon returning from school, when they leave a store or friend’s house and coming inside from outdoor play with others.
-Remind them not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth. Some viruses and bacteria can live up to two hours or more on surfaces that they touch.
-If you or your child have flu symptoms, it is important to stay at home, away from school or work until symptoms have subsided and fever has not been present for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication.

The H1N1 vaccine has also been released and is becoming available to high-risk groups, which includes children ages 6 months-24 years, expecting mothers and adults 25-64 with underlying medical conditions. The CDC states that vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza infection and its complications. There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced. The H1N1 flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (contained killed virus) and the H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu. Approximately two weeks after receiving the vaccination, antibodies that provide protection will develop in the patient.

Vaccine worries

Some parents feel uneasy about their children receiving a vaccine that is so new. Worries about short and long-term side effects from the H1N1 vaccine are often on the minds of Eldersburg parents. It is certainly a tough personal decision for parents. Huber says, “I have not decided on whether my kids will get the vaccine in November. I am still on the fence.”

The CDC and FDA are trying to reassure parents that the H1N1 vaccination is safe and they are encouraging its administration. The CDC web site states, “The federal government is committed to assuring the safety of vaccines. This is achieved by FDA oversight of rigorous pre-licensure trials and post-licensure monitoring by CDC and FDA. This commitment not only stems from our scientific and medical dedication, it is also personal—for most of us who work at CDC are also parents and grandparents. We too, place tremendous value on the health and safety of children”

The Carroll County Health Department and CDC update their web sites daily with H1N1 information. Following the proper steps for prevention, being aware of symptoms and communication with your doctor can give you and your family the best odds against this heightened flu season.