The biggest fear most parents have when sending their children off to overnight camp is that the kids will get homesick. But this year many are also worried about the swine flu (H1N1 virus).
If you’ve got concerns about the swine flu – Could my child get it at camp? How can I make sure she doesn’t? – we’ve rounded up some information that should answer your questions.
The first thing to remember is this: If your child is ill, don’t send her to camp. H1N1 is thought to be spread in the same way that influenza generally spreads: through coughs and sneezes of those infected. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) note that the symptoms for the H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many infected individuals also report diarrhea and vomiting. Children (and adults!) should be kept home for seven days after symptoms begin or until they are symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. (Click here for information on what to do if you think your child has the flu.)
But just because you keep your sick child home doesn’t mean others will do the same – or that a child will develop symptoms once they arrive at camp. That’s where the camp staff comes in. They should be well versed in early identification of sick campers (and staff). And they should also be trained in good cough and hand hygiene etiquette and hygiene rules should be strictly followed at the camp.
Whether your child is going to a week-long overnight camp or to a morning day camp a few times a week, make sure that the camp staff is aware of rules governing hand and cough hygiene and early identification of symptoms – and follows them. The CDC has recommendations for day and overnight camps at this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/camp.htm
Information for parents is at this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/
General information on H1N1:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

July 15th, 2009 | Category: Metro Parent