Medically Fragile Students and Staff Members

The ESC of Central Ohio recognizes that medically fragile individuals are considered to be at significant risk for contraction of and complications from the H1N1 flu. The Centers for Disease Control identifies these “high-risk” chronic medical conditions as pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive disorders, neuromuscular disorders, metabolic disorders, asthma and any immunosuppressive condition.
In regard to staff members, the ESC of Central Ohio will collaborate with the staff member, his or her physician and the local county boards of health in determining the appropriateness of the staff member's extended absence based on risk associated with the H1N1 flu.

In regard to students, the ESC of Central Ohio will accommodate home-based education with physician recommendation on an individual basis.

The following recommendations will be offered to parents/guardians of medically fragile students in accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines:

• Make sure your child's hands are washed for 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often (especially after coughing or sneezing).
  
• Have your child cough and sneeze into a tissue or into his or her elbow or shoulder if a tissue is not available.
  
• Keep your child away from people who are exhibiting signs of illness.
  
• Clean surfaces and objects that your child frequently touches with standard household cleaning products.
  
• When there is flu in your community, consider your child's risk of exposure if they attend public gatherings. In communities with a significant occurrence of flu, consider staying away from public gatherings.
  
• If flu is severe in your community, talk to your doctor and child's school to develop a plan on how to handle your child's special needs.
  
• Get your child vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines become available (note: individuals affected by chronic medical conditions will be given the vaccinations on a priority basis).
  
• Share your child's health information with his or her teacher and the building's Health Services Coordinator.
  
• Contact your doctor immediately if your child is sick. This is important because the antiviral medicines used to treat flu work best when started within the first two days of getting sick. Your doctor will tell you what special care is needed for your child.
  
• Keep your sick child at home until at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). Keep your child home unless they need to go to the doctor.
  
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages) to keep from being dehydrated.
  
• If your child has a fever, use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child's age. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to children or teenagers who have flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
  
• Keep your sick child in a separate room (a sick room) in the house as much as possible to limit contact with household members who are not sick. Consider designating a single person as the main caregiver for the sick child.
  
• Watch for warning signs that need urgent medical attention, including: rapid or labored breathing, bluish or gray skin color, decreased fluid intake and/or decreased tears or urination, persistent vomiting, extreme drowsiness, severe pain or irritability, pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion or a temporary improvement in symptoms followed by a high fever and severe cough.