Published: October 26, 2009 11:59 pm      

Keep kids home for good of all

THE ISSUE:Children with flu-like symptoms.

OUR VIEW:Parents have a responsibility to this community to isolate a sick child from others.

Last month, we told you about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “FluView” – its weekly findings of influenza indicators across the U.S.

During the week of Oct. 11-17, the CDC found flu activity continued to increase across the U.S. According to the CDC:

• Thirty-seven percent of specimens tested – 4,855 in total – were positive for influenza.

• All influenza A viruses being reported to the CDC were H1N1 viruses.

• The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and flu was above the epidemic threshold.

• 11 flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Nine were associated with H1N1.

• The proportion of out-patient visits to doctors for flu-like illness was above the national baseline.

• 46 states, including Indiana, reported widespread flu activity.

Last week, the Howard County Health Department said it had received about 4,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. Unless the county begins receiving 5,000 doses each week, vaccination clinics at Western schools, Kokomo High School and Indiana University Kokomo could be canceled.

School-age children are at a high risk for contracting the flu. So what’s a parent to do?

Ensure your family washes their hands often with soap and water. And implore them to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

And, above all, if a family member falls ill with flu-like symptoms, keep them at home for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone.

No athletic event is too important. No job is so imperative.

As a parent, you have a responsibility to this community to isolate a sick child from others.

Flu season is no fun. But if we all use common sense, we’ll get through it with the least amount of pain possible.