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Preparing for the Flu (Including 2009 H1N1 Flu)

A Communication Toolki t for Child Care and Early Childhood Progra

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Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Child Care

and Early Childhood Programs

The purpose of Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Child Care and Early

Childhood Programs is to provide information and communication resources to help center-

based and home-based child care programs, Head Start programs, and other early childhood

programs implement recommendations from CDCs Guidance on Helping Child Care and

Early Childhood Programs Respond to Infuenza during the 2009-2010 Infuenza Season.

The toolkit includes:

Questions and Answers about CDCs Guidance on Helping Child Care andEarly Childhood Programs Respond to Infuenza during the 2009-2010 InfuenzaSeason

1 Fact Sheet for Early Childhood Program Providers

Action Steps or Child Care and Early Childhood Program Providers to

Prevent the Spread o Flu

3 Fact Sheets to Inform Parents

Action Steps or Parents to Protect Your Child and Family rom the Flu Action Steps or Parents o Children at Higher Risk or Flu Complications Action Steps or Parents i Early Childhood Programs are Closed or Children

are Sick and Must Stay Home

1 Poster for Child Care Centers to Remind Parents to Keep SickChildren at Home

STOP! Do You Feel Sick?4 Template Letters (or E-mails) to Send to Parents

I Your Child is Not Feeling Well

Steps the Child Care or Early Childhood Program is Taking Now Child Care or Early Childhood Program is Suspended

Child Care or Early Childhood Program has Re-Opened Additional Communication Resources for Child Care and Early

Childhood Programs

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Questions and Answers about CDCs Guidance onHelping Child Care and Early Childhood ProgramsRespond to Flu during the 2009-2010 Flu Season

About the Guidance for Child Care and Early ChildhoodPrograms

Q. How does CDCs new guidance dier rom the previousguidance or early childhood programs?

This new guidance applies to any u virus circulating during the 2009-2010 u season,

including seasonal and 2009 H1N1 u. It recognizes the need to balance the risks o

illness among children and early childhood program sta in center- and home-based early

childhood programs, Head Start programs, and other early childhood programs with the

benefts o keeping children in early childhood programs. It oers specifc steps or early

childhood program providers and parents to take given the current u conditions as well

as or more severe u conditions. The new guidance also provides inormation or making

decisions at the community level about when to use these strategies aimed at early

childhood programs.

In addition, this guidance recommends that, based on current u conditions, early

childhood program sta and children with u-like illness stay home until at least 24

hours ater they no longer have a ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius

measured by mouth) or signs o a ever (have chills, eel very warm, have a ushed

appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use o ever-

reducing mediciness (any medicine that contains ibuproen or acetaminophen). This is

a shorter time period rom the previous guidance which recommended that sick early

childhood program providers and children stay home 7 days ater symptoms begin. The

7 day period away rom early childhood programs or sick children and early childhood

program providers would still be recommended under more severe u conditions.

Q. How is the term early childhood program used in thisguidance?

For the purpose o this guidance, early childhood program reers to any setting that

involves care or a group o young children, such as center- or home-based early childhood

programs, Head Start programs, and other early childhood programs. This guidance

applies to the whole early childhood program including services or older children.

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Q. Why should early childhood programs be concerned about thefu?

Children under the age o 5 are at higher risk or complications rom u, and severe u

complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old. Inants younger

than 6 months old are a particularly vulnerable group because they are too young to get

the seasonal u or 2009 H1N1 u vaccine.

So ar, with 2009 H1N1 u, the highest number o cases has been in people between the

ages o 5 and 24 years old. Some early childhood programs provide ater school programs

to children in this age group. The second highest number o cases o 2009 H1N1 u has

been in children younger than 5 years old.

Q. How will CDC help early childhood programs and communitiesdecide what steps to take?

CDC and other public health agencies will be monitoring national data on the number

o people seeking care or u-like illness. CDC will also look at the geographic spread o

u-like illness and changes in the virus. By comparing data with historical seasonal u

trends and trends during the H1N1 u conditions rom April through December 2009,

CDC will be able to provide advice to state and local agencies on appropriate steps to take.

Since the impact o u in all and winter 2009-2010 will likely vary rom community to

community, early childhood program providers should check with state and local health

ofcials or inormation and guidance specifc to their location.

State and local public health ofcials will work with community partners to consider:

who needs to be involved in the decision-making process, and include those people in

regular communications,

severity o the u and its impact in the community and early childhood programs,

capacity o the healthcare system to respond to local outbreaks, and

the goals, easibility, and communitys acceptability o action steps being considered.

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Steps for Early Childhood Programs to Help Prevent theSpread of Flu during Current Flu Conditions

Q. What steps can early childhood programs take to keep children

and program sta healthy?Encourage all early childhood program sta to get vaccinated or seasonal u and2009 H1N1 u according to CDC recommendations. Most sta who work in early

childhood program settings are in the primary target group or vaccination. Also

encourage parents to get their children vaccinated. For more inormation about

primary target groups or vaccination, visit

www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/vaccination/acip.htmand www.cdc.gov/u/protect/keyacts.htm.

Encourage early childhood program sta to stay at home i they are sick with u-

like illness. Ask parents to keep children home i they are sick. Sta and children

should stay home until they are ree o ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees

Celsius measured by mouth) or at least 24 hours, without the use o ever-reducing

medicines.

Conduct a daily health check o children and sta. Watch children and sta or signs

o illness. I they are sick, take their temperatures and ask about symptoms.

Move children and sta who become sick at the early childhood program to a

separate, supervised, space which separates them rom others by at least 6 eet until

they can be sent home. Limit the number o sta who take care o the sick person and

provide a surgical mask to sick sta members to wear i they can tolerate it. Visit

www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/guidance_homecare.htm or more inormation on caring or

someone who is sick.

Encourage respiratory etiquette by providing sta and children

education and reminders about covering coughs and sneezes, and

easy access to tissues and trash cans.

Remind sta and children to practice good hand hygiene and provide the time and

supplies (such as running water, soap, and paper towels) or children and sta to

wash their hands.

Routinely clean suraces and items that children requently touch with their hands

or mouths, or that come in contact with their body uids. Wipe these suraces

with a household disinectant that is usually used, ollowing the directions on the

product label. Additional disinection o these suraces beyond routine cleaning is not

recommended.

Communicate and instruct sta and parents o children in early childhood programs

to get medical care or themselves or or their children immediately i they get sick

and are at higher risk o u complications, are concerned about their illness, ordevelop severe symptoms. Early treatment with u antiviral medicines can decrease

the risk o severe illness rom u.

Consider closing the early childhood program i u transmission is high in the

community. Work closely with local public health ofcials to decide i the early

childhood program should be closed temporarily.

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Q. What can an early childhood program do to prepare or furesponse during the 2009-2010 fu season?Examine and revise, as needed, current u (or crisis) response plans.

Update contact inormation or parents so they can be easily contacted i they need to

pick up their sick child.

Be aware i a child in their care has an underlying health condition that would putthe child at particularly high risk o u complications.

Develop contingency plans to cover key positions when sta are sick or caring or

amily members at home.

Identiy and establish a point o contact with the local public health agency.

Set up a separate space or care o sick students or sta which will separate them

rom others by at least 6 eet until they can be sent home.

Display and distribute educational materials to encourage hand hygiene and

respiratory etiquette. See tools available at www.u.gov.

Help amilies and communities understand the important roles they can play in

reducing the spread o u.

Encourage parents to plan or alternate child care in case the early childhood

program closes.

Q. What is a daily health check?Early childhood programs should perorm a daily health check or all children and sta

upon or soon ater arriving at the acility. The purpose o the daily health check is to

observe and assess the childs overall health. Trained and experienced early childhood

program providers can be a valuable resource to parents, especially new parents who

may not recognize their child is sick and should be examined by a pediatric health care

provider. Young children may not be able to communicate that they are not eeling well.

The daily health check should consist o watching the child and talking with parent and

child.

During the daily health check the early childhood program provider should look or:

a change in the childs behavior (crankiness, unusual crying, decreased appetite, or a

lack o interest in playing),

a report o illness in the child or amily member,

a report o a recent visit to a health care provider by the child or amily member, and

any signs or symptoms o u: eeling warm to the touch, ever, cough, sore throat,

runny or stuy nose, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Some people may

also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be inected with the u, including 2009H1N1 u, and have respiratory symptoms without a ever.

An example o how to perorm daily health checks can be ound at:

www.bmcc.edu/Headstart/Trngds/Diseases/pg91-108.htm

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Q. What can early childhood program providers and parents do tohelp young children wash their hands?

Early childhood program providers should:

provide enough time or all children and sta to wash their hands whenever needed;

have soap, running water, paper towels, and a trash can that is easy to reach; and

educate amilies, children, and sta about the importance o and proper methods or

cleaning hands.

Parents and early childhood program providers must wash the hands o children who

cannot yet wash themselves, and closely monitor children who have not yet mastered

proper hand hygiene.

For example, when teaching young children how to wash their hands:

turn on the water;

wet their hands;

apply a good amount o soap and lather up;

ocus on having them wash their hands or about 20 secondsabout the time it takes

to sing Happy Birthday twice;

wash the ront o the hands, the back, in between the fngers, around the nails, and

then rinse everything o; and

wipe their hands drypreerably with something disposable such as a paper towel,

and then use that to turn o the tap.

Visit www.cdc.gov/cleanhands or more inormation on hand hygiene.

Q. What steps should be ollowed in early childhood program

settings when soap and running water are not available?When soap and running water are not available (such as during a feld trip) use an

alcohol-based hand rub.

However, some places may not allow alcohol-based hand rubs in early childhood program

settings because they can be toxic i swallowed. I alcohol-based hand rubs are used, they

should be kept in a location that children cannot reach, but adults can access when they

need to dispense it.

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Q. Can the virus live on suraces, such as toys, cots, or playgroundequipment?Yes, u viruses may be spread when a child touches droplets let by coughs and

sneezes on hard suraces (such as doorknobs or tables) or objects (such as toys or

markers) and then touches his or her mouth or nose. However, it is not necessary to

disinect these suraces beyond routine cleaning.Clean suraces and items that are more likely to have requent hand or mouth

contact with cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas. Some states

and localities have laws about specifc cleaning products used in early childhood

programs. Early childhood program providers should contact their state health

department and department o environmental protection or additional guidance.

Q. What can amilies do to keep their children and others romgetting sick and spreading fu?

Families can keep rom getting sick with u in our ways:

Getting children rom 6 months-5 years o age vaccinated or seasonal u and2009 H1N1 u. People who care or a child younger than 6 months old also should

be vaccinated. Vaccines should be considered or anyone who is at higher risk or

complications rom seasonal u or 2009 H1N1 u. For more inormation about

primary target groups or vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/vaccination/acip.

htm and www.cdc.gov/u/protect/keyacts.htm

Practicing good hand hygiene. Wash your hands oten with soap and water, especially

ater coughing or sneezing. Help your children wash their hands.

Practicing respiratory etiquette. The main way that the u is thought to spread

is rom person to person in the droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so its

important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. I

you dont have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into yourhands. Teach your children how to do this.

Staying home i youre sick. Keeping sick children at home means that they keep

their viruses to themselves rather than sharing them with others.

Families must take personal responsibility or helping to slow the spread o the virus

by practicing these steps to keep rom getting sick with u and protecting others rom

getting the u.

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Q. Should our early childhood program require a note rom ahealth care provider to allow children who have been sick toreturn to the program?

No, a note rom a health care providers ofce or health care provider should not be

required. Health care acilities may be very busy during u season and it will be hard

to provide these notes. Under current u conditions, i a child has symptoms o u theyshould stay home until they are ree o ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees

Celsius measured by mouth) or at least 24 hours, without the use o ever-reducing

medicines. This is usually about 3 to 5 days.

Under more severe u conditions, children with symptoms o u should stay home or

at least 7 days, even i symptoms go away sooner. People who are still sick ater 7 days

should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours ater symptoms have gone away.

Q. Does a sta member need a note rom their health care providerto prove that they are sick and need to stay home or that they

are healthy and can return to the early childhood program?No, a note rom a health care providers ofce or health care provider should not be

required. Health care acilities may be very busy during u season and it will be hard to

provide these notes. Under current u conditions, i a sta member has symptoms o u

they should stay home until they are ree o ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees

Celsius measured by mouth) or at least 24 hours, without the use o ever-reducing

medicines. This will usually be about 3 to 5 days.

Under more severe u conditions, sta with symptoms o u should stay home or at least

7 days, even i symptoms go away sooner. People who are still sick ater 7 days should

continue to stay home until at least 24 hours ater symptoms have gone away.

Q. What should parents do i there is a case o 2009 H1N1 fu intheir early childhood program?

Early childhood programs can be challenging places to prevent the spread o u. Young

children are vulnerable to inections and are at higher risk or complications rom u.

Children are in constant contact with one another, sharing toys and other items. It is also

hard or children to understand and practice good hand washing and covering o coughs

and sneezes. It is not possible to completely prevent the spread o inectious diseases, like

u, in early childhood program settings. No policy can keep everyone who is inectious out

o these settings. Parents should watch their children careully or signs and symptoms o

u and keep them home i they become sick.

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Adults and Children at Higher Risk for Complications

Q. Which children and sta are at higher risk or complicationsrom fu?

Anyone (even healthy people) can get the u (seasonal and 2009 H1N1), and anyone can

have serious problems rom the u. Some groups are at higher risk or complications rom

the u. These include children younger than 5 years o age (children in early childhood

programs are usually in this age group), pregnant women, people o any age with chronic

health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) and people 65 years o age

and older. Among children younger than 5 years old, the risk or severe complications rom

u is highest among children younger than 2 years old.

Q. Who should receive a fu vaccination?As always, vaccines will be available this year to protect against seasonal u. Children 6

months through 18 years o age, people o any age with certain chronic medical conditions

(such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes), and everyone age 50 and older should be

vaccinated against seasonal u as early as possible. Inormation about seasonal u

vaccine can be ound at: www.cdc.gov/u/protect/keyacts.htm.

Certain groups are at higher risk or u-related complications and are recommended

to get the 2009 H1N1 u vaccination. These people include: children younger than

5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old; people aged 65 years

or older; pregnant women; adults and children who have asthma, neurological and

neurodevelopmental conditions; chronic lung disease; heart disease; blood disorders;

endocrine disorders, such as diabetes; kidney, liver, and metabolic disorders; weakened

immune system due to disease or medication; and people younger than 19 years o

age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. Due to increased vaccine availability,

everyone, including those over 65 years, can now be vaccinated. For more inormation

on people at higher risk or u complications, visithttp://www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/highrisk.

htm.

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Q. What actions should pregnant sta take to protect themselvesrom the fu?

Pregnant women should ollow the same guidance as the general public related to staying

home when sick, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and routine cleaning.

Pregnant women should know that they are a primary target group to receive the 2009

H1N1 u vaccine. Seasonal u vaccine is also recommended or pregnant women and can

be given at any time during pregnancy.

Pregnant women are at higher risk o complications rom u and, like all people at higher

risk, should speak with their health care providers as soon as possible i they develop u-

like symptoms. Early treatment with antiviral u medicines is recommended or pregnant

women who have the u; these medicines are most eective when started within the frst

48 hours o eeling sick.

I the u conditions become more severe, pregnant women may want to withdraw their

children rom early childhood programs or stop working temporarily i they are an early

childhood program provider.

Flu Symptoms

Q. What are the symptoms o seasonal fu and the 2009 H1N1 fu?The symptoms o seasonal and 2009 H1N1 u virus include ever, cough, sore throat,

runny or stuy nose, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Some people may also

have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be inected with the u, including 2009 H1N1 u,

and have respiratory symptoms without a ever.

Q. How do I recognize a ever or signs o a ever?A ever is a temperature measured by mouth with a thermometer that is equal to or

greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). Look or these possible

signs o ever: i he or she eels very warm, has a ushed appearance, or is sweating or

shivering.

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Q. How do I know i a child has 2009 H1N1 fu or seasonal fu?It will be very hard to tell i someone, including a child, is sick with 2009 H1N1 u or

seasonal u. Public health ofcials and medical authorities will not be recommending

laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms o u-like illness should stay home and

not go to work.

Some children may not be able to tell you about their symptoms, which can result in adelay in responding to their illness. It is important to watch careully or the signs and

symptoms o u or unusual behavior that may be a sign your child is sick. Symptoms o

u include ever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuy nose, body aches, headache, chills and

tiredness. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be inected with

the u, including 2009 H1N1 u, and have respiratory symptoms without a ever.

Q. What ever-reducing medicines can children and sta take whensick?

Fever-reducing medicines are medicines that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or

ibuproen (such as Motrin). These medicines can be given to people who are sick with uto help bring their ever down and relieve their pain. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should

not be given to anyone younger than 18 years o age who has the u; this can cause a rare

but serious illness called Reyes syndrome.

Early childhood programs should not give a child any medicines without a parents

approval. Training should be provided to any sta who provide medicines to children.

Q. How do I know when a child needs to be seen by a health careprovider?

Watch or emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention. These warningsigns include one or more o the ollowing:

ast breathing, trouble breathing, shortness o breath, or stopping breathing;

bluish, purplish, or gray skin color especially around the lips and the inside o the

mouth, or around the nails;

not drinking enough uids, reusing to drink;

not urinating, decreased number o wet diapers, or no tears when crying;

severe or persistent vomiting;

not waking up or not interacting (e.g., unusually quiet and inactive, no interest in

playing, no interest in avorite toy);

being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, or cannot be consoled;

pain or pressure in the chest or stomach;

sudden dizziness;

conusion; and

u-like symptoms improve but then return with ever and worse cough.

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Steps Early childhood Programs Can Take to Prevent theSpread of Flu under More Severe Flu Conditions

Q. How will early childhood programs know i the fu is more severe

and they should consider taking additional action steps?CDC, state and local health departments, and other public health partners will continueto monitor the spread o u, the severity o the illness its causing, and whether the virus

is changing. State and local health departments will also be on the lookout or increases

in severe illness in their areas and will provide guidance to their communities. Early

childhood programs should work closely with state and local public health ofcials to

guide their u response. Public health agencies will communicate changes in severity and

the extent o u-like illness to ensure that early childhood programs have the inormation

they need to choose the right steps to reduce the impact o u.

Q. What additional steps should early childhood programs take tokeep students and sta rom getting sick in the event that thefu becomes more severe?

I u conditions become more severe, CDC may recommend the ollowing additional

strategies and actions or early childhood programs:

Permit children and sta at higher risk o complications rom u to stay home

while there is a lot o u in the community. Sta and parents should talk with their

healthcare providers beore making this decision.

Explore innovative ways to increase social distances between children. For example,

dividing classes into smaller groups (or example, groups o 6 or ewer children) and

keeping them with a consistent early childhood program provider.

Request that children who live with people who have u-like illness stay home or 5

days rom the day the frst household member got sick.

Let sta and parents o children who are sick know that i they are sick, they should

stay home or at least 7 days, even i symptoms go away sooner. People who are still

sick ater 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours ater symptoms

have gone away.

Consider closing the early childhood program. Early childhood programs should work

closely with their local and state public health ofcials when deciding whether or not

to close the program. I the decision is made to close the early childhood program,

CDC recommends doing so or at least 57 calendar days.

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Q. What can early childhood programs do to increase socialdistance during a more severe fu outbreak?

Early childhood program providers should think creatively about ways to increase

the space between children. Not every method will be easible or all early childhood

programs. However, it is important to consider options or social distancing i early

childhood programs remain open.

Options include:

avoiding bringing groups o children rom dierent classes together,

keeping children with the same small group and same provider(s),

postponing trips that bring children together rom multiple classrooms in large,

densely-packed groups,

holding activities outdoors,

dividing classes into smaller groups (or example, groups o 6 or ewer children),

moving play areas arther apart, and

moving groups o children to larger spaces, when available, to allow more space

between children.

Q. What are the dierent types o early childhood programclosures?

Early childhood programs should work closely with local public health ofcials to decide i

the early childhood program should be closed temporarily. There are three types o early

childhood program closures:

Selective closure is used when u conditions are similar to April through December

2009 and u transmission is high. Some communities or early childhood programs

may consider temporary closures to help decrease the spread o u among childrenless than 5 years o age.

Reactive closure is used when u conditions are more severe compared to April

through December 2009 and many sta and children are sick and are not coming

to the early childhood program, or many children and sta are arriving at the early

childhood program sick and are being sent home. The early childhood program may

close because it is unable to operate under these conditions. Smaller home-based

programs will be more likely than center-based programs to have a reactive closure

because they have ewer sta available i some become sick.

Preemptive closure is used early during a u response in a community when u

conditions are more severe compared to April through December 2009. The goal is to

decrease the spread o the u beore many children and sta get sick. This is basedon inormation about the spread osevere fu in the region. This type o closure is

most eective at decreasing u spread and burden on the healthcare system when

done early in relation to the amount o u activity in the area.

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Q. What steps are recommended to resume early childhoodprograms ater closure?

The length o time an early childhood program should be closed will vary depending

on the type o closure that is selected and the severity and extent o illness. When the

decision is made to close early childhood programs, CDC recommends doing so or 5 to 7

calendar days.

On a regular basis (or example, weekly) local health ofcials should reassess the spread

o the disease, the benefts o keeping children home, and the impact o early childhood

program closure. This inormation will help inorm the decision to extend the closure or to

reopen early childhood programs.

Q. What options exist or parents i an early childhood program isclosed?

Parents should make plans or alternate child care in case their usual early childhood

programs are closed. Alternate child care may include care by relatives, neighbors,

co-workers or riends. Parents should check with their employers to fnd out i they can

be allowed to work rom home or to have dierent work hours to be able to stay home

and take care o their children. Temporary alternate child care should keep the child in

small groups (or example, groups with 6 or ewer children). Parents should check with

community groups on ways they can support emergency child care needs and plans i

early childhood programs close during a severe u outbreak.

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Fact Sheet orEarly Childhood

Program Providers

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Action Steps or Child Care and EarlyChildhood Program Providers toPrevent the Spread o Flu

Take the ollowing steps to help keep children and starom getting sick with fu. These steps should be ollowed

ALL the time and not only during a fu pandemic.Encourage all early childhood program sta to get vaccinated or

seasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u in accordance with CDC recommendations. Most

sta who work in early childhood programs are in a primary target group or

vaccination against 2009 H1N1 u. Inormation about 2009 H1N1 u vaccination

can be ound at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/vaccination . Inormation about seasonal u

vaccine can be ound at: www.cdc.gov/u/protect/keyacts.htm.

Educate and encourage sta and children to cover their mouth and nose

with a tissue when they cough or sneeze.Also, provide easy access to tissues

and trash cans. Have program sta teach children to cover coughs or sneezes using

their elbow instead o their hand when a tissue is not available. Teach children to

throw tissues away ater use.

Remind sta and children to practice good hand hygiene and provide the

time and supplies or them to wash their hands as oten as necessary. Have them

help children wash their hands properly and requently. I soap and water are not

available, alcohol-based hand rubs can be used.

Remind sta to stay home and parents to keep a sick child at home when

they have fu-like symptoms. Symptoms o seasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u

include ever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuy nose, body aches, headache, chills,

and tiredness. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may beinected with the u, including the 2009 H1N1 u and have respiratory symptoms

without a ever. Sick children and sta should stay at home until at least 24 hours

ater they no longer have a ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius

measured by mouth) or signs and symptoms o a ever (has chills, eels very warm

to the touch, has a ushed appearance, or is sweating) without the use o ever-

reducing medicine.

Perorm a daily health check o children and make sure that contact

inormation or parents is up-to-date so they can be contacted i they need to pick

up their sick child. Special attention should be paid to younger children and those

with limitations or delays in communication skills since they may not be able to

communicate their symptoms.

Move sick children or sta to a separate, but supervised, space until their

parents can take them home. Limit the number o sta who take care o sick people.

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Send sick sta home immediately and advise them not to return until at least

24 hours ater they no longer have a ever or signs o a ever (without the use o

ever-reducing medicine).

Routinely clean suraces and items that children requently touch with their

hands, mouths, and body uids, such as toys, diaper stations, chairs, or playground

equipment. Wipe these suraces with a household disinectant that is usually

used, ollowing the directions on the product label. Additional disinection o these

suraces beyond routine cleaning is not recommended.

Encourage early medical evaluation or children and sta at higher risk o

complications rom u. People at higher risk or u complications include children

younger than 5 years (especially children younger than 2 years old), pregnant

women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease,

or diabetes). For more inormation on people at higher risk or u complications,

visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/highrisk.htm.

Consider temporarily closing the early childhood program i fu

transmission is high in the community. Work closely with local public

health ofcials to decide i the program should close temporarily to decrease

the spread o u.

I the fu conditions become MORE severe, early childhood

programs should consider adding the ollowing steps.Inorm sick children and sta that they should stay home or at least

7 days, even i they eel better beore then. Those who are still sick ater

7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours ater symptoms

have gone away.

Allow children and sta at higher risk or fu complications to stay home

while there is u in the community.

Request that children who live in a household with people who havefu-like illness stay home or 5 days rom the day the frst household

member got sick.

Find ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in early

childhood programs by dividing classes into smaller groups, moving play stations

arther apart, and holding classes and activities outdoors.

Consider temporarily closing the program i the number o sta and children

staying home makes it difcult or the early childhood program to operate or i

local health ofcials recommend temporarily closing early childhood programs to

decrease the spread o u in your community. Work closely with your local public

health ofcials to make this decision.

Follow these steps to prepare or the 2009-2010 fu season:Review and revise existing pandemic u and crisis plans.

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Update parent contact inormation so they can be contacted quickly i they need to

pick up their sick child.

Identiy and establish points o contact with the local public health agency.

Develop a plan to cover key sta positions when sta stay home because they are

sick or caring or amily members.

Encourage parents to develop alternate child care plans i the program must closetemporarily. Parents should be encouraged to contact amily members, or develop

buddy arrangements with neighbors, riends, co-workers, or church groups to

develop sae backup child care alternatives.

Help amilies and communities understand the important roles they can play in

reducing the spread o u in early childhood programs.

Set up a separate, but supervised, space or care o sick children or sta until they

can be sent home.

Display and distribute educational materials to encourage hand hygiene and

respiratory etiquette.

For more inormation:

Visit: www.fu.gov

Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day 1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 [email protected]

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Fact Sheets to

Inform Parents

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Action Steps or Parents to Protect Your Childand Family during the 2009-2010 Flu Season

The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

recommends our main ways you and your amily may keeprom getting sick with the fu at early childhood programs

or at home:Get your children vaccinated1. or seasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u. Parents and

caregivers o children less than 6 months o age should also get vaccinated or

seasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u because these children are at higher risk or u

complications and are too young to be vaccinated.

Stay home if you or your child is sick2. or at least 24 hours ater there is no longer

a ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius measured by mouth) or

signs o a ever (chills, eel very warm, ushed appearance, or sweating). Keepingsick children at home means that they keep their viruses to themselves rather than

sharing them with others.

Cover your mouth and nose3. with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. I you dont

have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands. Teach

your children how to do this.

Practice good hand hygiene4. by washing your hands oten with soap and water,

especially ater coughing or sneezing. Parents and child care providers should wash

the hands o children who cannot yet wash themselves, and closely monitor children

who have not yet mastered proper hand hygiene. (Note that i soap and water are not

available, alcohol-based hand rubs are useul.)

I fu conditions become MORE severe:

Decisions about the length o time sta and children with u-like symptoms should

stay home will be made by local public health ofcials based on the u conditions in

a particular area.

I a decision is made to extend the time sick people should stay home, parents

should keep their children at home for at least 7 days, even i they eel

better sooner. People who are still sick ater 7 days should continue to stay

home until at least 24 hours ater symptoms have completely gone away.

If a household member is sick, keep all children in the household home

from school and early childhood programs for 5 days rom the time thefrst person in the household became sick. Parents should monitor themselves

and their children or ever and other symptoms o the u.

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Follow these steps to prepare or the fu during the

2009-2010 fu season:Plan or child care at home i your child gets sick, your usual early childhood

program closes, or school is dismissed. Check with your employer to fnd out i you

can stay at home to care or your children, work rom home, or set up a exible

work schedule. I this is not possible, fnd other ways to care or your children at

home (such as care by relatives, neighbors, co-workers, or riends).

Plan to monitor the health o your children and others in the household by

checking or ever and other symptoms o u.

Identiy i you have children who are at higher risk o serious disease rom the u

and talk to your healthcare provider about a plan to protect them during the u

season. Children at higher risk o serious disease rom the u include: children

under 5 years o age and children with certain chronic medical conditions, such as

asthma, heart disease and diabetes.

Update emergency contact lists.

Collect games, books, DVDs and other items to keep your amily entertained i

early childhood programs are closed, school is dismissed, or your child is sick and

must stay home.

Talk to your early childhood program and school about their pandemic or

emergency plan.

For more inormation:

Visit: www.fu.gov

Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day 1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 [email protected]

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Action Steps or Parents o Childrenat Higher Risk or Flu ComplicationsChildren younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old;

people aged 65 years or older; pregnant women; adults and children who have asthma,

neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions; chronic lung disease; heart disease;

blood disorders; endocrine disorders, such as diabetes; kidney, liver, and metabolic

disorders; weakened immune system due to disease or medication; and people younger

than 19 years o age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. I you are not sure

i any o your children are at higher risk or fu complications, please check with your

health care provider. For more inormation on people at higher risk or fu complications,

visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1fu/highrisk.htm.

Keep children at higher risk or fucomplications rom getting sick with

the fuGet your children over the age o 6 months

vaccinated or seasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u.

Have your child cough and sneeze into a tissue

or into his or her elbow or shoulder i a tissue is

not available. Make sure your child throws tissues

away right ater use and washes his or her hands.

Make sure your childs hands are washed oten or help your younger

child wash them or 20 seconds with soap and water. I soap and water are notavailable, use an alcohol based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand rubs can be toxic i

swallowed, so keep them in a place that only you can access when you need to use

it.

Keep your child away rom people who are sick.

Clean suraces and objects that your child requently touches. Wipe these

suraces with a household disinectant that is usually used, ollowing the directions

on the product label. Additional disinection o these suraces beyond routine

cleaning is not recommended.

When there is u in your community, consider your childs risk o exposure i they

attend public gatherings. In communities with a lot o u,people who are at

risk o complications rom fu should consider staying away rom publicgatherings such as sporting events and concerts.

I u is severe in your community, talk to your health care provider and childs

school or early childhood program to develop a plan on how to handle your

childs special needs.

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Recognize i your children are sick.

Some children may not be able to tell you about

their symptoms, which can result in a delay in

responding to their illness. It is important to

watch careully or the signs and symptoms o

u or unusual behavior that may be a sign yourchild is sick. Symptoms o u include ever, cough,

sore throat, runny or stuy nose, body aches,

headache, chills and tiredness. Some people may

also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be

inected with the u, including the 2009 H1N1 u

and have respiratory symptoms without a ever.

A ever is a temperature measured by mouth with

a thermometer that is equal to or greater than

100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). I

you are not able to measure a temperature, signs

and symptoms that may indicate your child has a

ever include chills, eeling very warm to the touch,having a ushed appearance, or sweating.

Watch or emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention.

These warning signs include one or more o the ollowing:

ast breathing, trouble breathing, shortness o breath, or stopping breathing;

bluish, purplish, or gray skin color especially around the lips and the inside o

the mouth, or around the nails;

not drinking enough uids, reusing to drink;

not urinating, decreased number o wet diapers, or no tears when crying;

severe or persistent vomiting;

not waking up or not interacting (e.g. unusually quiet and inactive, no interest

in playing, no interest in avorite toy);

being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, or cannot be consoled

pain or pressure in the chest or stomach;

sudden dizziness;

conusion; and

u-like symptoms improve but then return with ever and worse cough.

Please share this inormation with your childs teacher or other caregivers, so they can

tell you i they notice your child is not eeling well.

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Follow these tips or taking care o high risk children with

the fu.Contact your health care provider immediately i your child is sick. This is

important because the antiviral medicines used to treat u work best when started

within the frst 2 days o getting sick. Your health care

provider will tell you what special care is needed or your

child.

Keep your sick child at home until at least 24 hours

ater your child no longer has a ever or signs o a ever

(without the use o a ever-reducing medicine). Keep your

child home unless they need to go to the health care

provider.Make sure your child gets plenty o rest and

drinks clear fuids (such as water, broth, sports drinks)

to prevent dehydration. For inants, use electrolyte

drinks such as Pedialyte.

I your child has a ever, use ever-reducing

medicines that your health care providerrecommends based on your childs age. Aspirin

(acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to children or

teenagers; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reyes 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 or the sick child.

Additional inormation about caring or sick household members can be ound at

www.cdc.gov/h1n1u/guidance_homecare.htm.

For more inormation:

Visit: www.fu.gov

Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day 1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 [email protected]

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Action Steps or Parents i Child Care or EarlyChildhood Programs are Closed or Children areSick and Must Stay Home

Have activities or your children to do while at home. Pull together games, books,

DVDs and other items to keep your amily entertained.

Find out i your employer will allow you to stay at home to care or sick household

members or children whose early childhood programs have closed. Ask i you can

work rom home. I this is not possible, nd other ways to care or your children at

home.

Try to develop sae backup child care arrangements with neighbors, riends, co-

workers, or church groups. These should consist o small groups o children (or

example, groups with 6 or ewer children) and have a stable child care provider.

Get children rom 6 months to 5 years o age vaccinated or seasonal fu and 2009

H1N1 fu. Inants younger than 6 months o age are particularly vulnerable to fu

because they are too young to be vaccinated. All people (including parents) who livewith and care or a child less than 6 months old should be vaccinated against both

seasonal and 2009 H1N1 fu. Vaccines should be considered or anyone who is at

higher risk or complications rom seasonal fu or 2009 H1N1 fu.

Tips or taking care o children (and other householdmembers) with the fu.

Stay home i you or your child is sick until at least 24 hours ater there is nolonger a ever or signs o a ever (without the use o a ever-reducing medicine).

Keeping sick children at home means that they keep their viruses to themselvesrather than sharing them with others. Sick people should stay home even i they are

taking antiviral medicines.Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water oten andespecially ater coughing or sneezing. I soap and water are not available, and hands

are not visibly dirty, you can use alcohol-based hand rubs.

Keep sick household members in a separate room (a sick room) in the house asmuch as possible to limit contact with household members who are not sick. Consider

designating a single person as the main caregiver or sick people.

Monitor the health o the sick child and any other household members by

checking or ever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius measured bymouth) and other symptoms o fu. Symptoms o fu include ever, cough, sore throat,

runny or stuy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and tiredness. Some people mayalso have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be inected with the fu, including 2009H1N1 fu and have respiratory symptoms without a ever.

Watch or emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention. Thesewarning signs include one or more o the ollowing:

ast breathing, trouble breathing, shortness o breath, or stopping breathing;

bluish, purplish, or gray skin color especially around the lips and the inside o the

mouth, or around the nails;

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not drinking enough fuids, reusing to drink;

not urinating, decreased number o wet diapers, or no tears when crying;

severe or persistent vomiting;

not waking up or not interacting (e.g., unusually quiet and inactive, no interest in

playing, no interest in avorite toy);

being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, or cannot be consoled;

pain or pressure in the chest or stomach;sudden dizziness;

conusion; and

fu-like symptoms improve but then return with ever and worse cough.

Check with your health care provider about any special care needed or

household members who may be at higher risk or complications rom fu. People athigher risk or fu complications include children younger than 5 years (especiallychildren younger than 2 years old), pregnant women and people with chronic medical

conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more inormation onpeople at higher risk or fu complications, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1fu/highrisk.

htm.

Have the sick household member wear a acemask i available and tolerable when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent

spreading the virus to others. This is especially important i other householdmembers are at high risk or complications rom fu.

Ask your health care provider about antiviral medicines or ever-reducing

medicines or sick household members. Its very important that antiviral drugs be

used early to treat fu in people who are very sick (or example people who are in thehospital) and people who are sick with fu and have a greater chance o getting seriousfu complications. Other people may also be treated with antiviral drugs by their

doctor this season. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers; it can cause a rare butserious illness called Reyes syndrome.

Make sure sick household members get plenty o rest and drink clear fuids (such as water, broth, sports drinks) to prevent dehydration. For inants, use

electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte.

I your health department says that fu conditions havebecome more severe

Extend the time sick children stay home or at least 7 days, even i they eel bettersooner. People who are still sick ater 7 days should continue to stay home until atleast 24 hours ater their symptoms have gone away.

I a household member is sick, keep any school-aged brothers or sisters and

children in child care or early childhood programs home or 5 days rom the

time the rst household member became sick. Parents should monitor themselves andtheir children or ever and other symptoms o the fu.

For more inormation:

Visit: www.fu.gov Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day

1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 [email protected]

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For more inormation:

Visit: www.fu.gov Contact CDC 24 Hours/Every Day

1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 [email protected]

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Stop! Do You Feel Sick?

Poster

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Do you eel sick?

For more inormation visit www.fu.gov

or call 1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636)

I you think your child has the fu,keep your child at home,

except to get medical care.

You may have the fu i you have ever or chill

ANDa cough or sore throat

You may also have a runny nose, body aches,a headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting

C

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Template Letters(or E-mails) to

Send to Parents

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If Your Child is Not Feeling WellThis template can be customized and used as an announcement via e-mail, Web site, program

newsletter, or other creative ways to reach parents and program sta.

Coordinate eorts with your local health department beore distributing this letter or e-mailcommunication to ensure that all inormation is timely, relevant, and accurate.

If your child is not feeling well

Watch careully or signs and symptoms o fu . Some children may not be able to tell you

about their symptoms, which can delay your response to their illness. Symptoms o u includeever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuy nose, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Somepeople may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be inected with the u, including

2009 H1N1 u and have respiratory symptoms without a ever.

A ever is a temperature measured by mouth with a thermometer that is equal to or greaterthan 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). I you are not able to measure a

temperature, signs and symptoms that may indicate your child has a ever include chills, eelingvery warm to the touch, having a ushed appearance, or sweating.

Watch or emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention. These warningsigns include one or more o the ollowing:

ast breathing, trouble breathing, shortness o breath, or no longer breathing;

bluish, purplish, or gray skin color especially around the lips and the inside o the mouth,or around the nails;

not drinking enough uids, reusing to drink;

not urinating, decreased number o wet diapers, or no tears when crying;

severe or persistent vomiting;

not waking up or not interacting (e.g., unusually quiet and inactive, no interest in playing,

no interest in avorite toy);

being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, or cannot be consoled;

pain or pressure in the chest or stomach;

sudden dizziness;

conusion; and

u-like symptoms improve but then return with ever and worse cough.

Stay home i you or your child is sick with the fu until at least 24 hours ater there is no

longer a ever or signs o a ever (without the use o ever-reducing medicine). Children andteenagers should not be given aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid); this can cause a rare but serious

illness called Reyes syndrome.

Make sure your child gets plenty o rest and drinks clear fuids (such as water, broth,sports drinks) to prevent dehydration. For inants, use electrolyte beverages such as Pedialyte.

Contact your health care provider immediately i a child younger than 5 years o age is

sick. This is important because the antiviral medicines used to treat u work best when startedwithin the frst 2 days o getting sick. Your health care provider will tell you what special care isneeded or your child.

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To protect other family members

Get your amily vaccinated or seasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u according to CDCrecommendations.

Have your child

cough and sneeze into a tissue or into his or her elbow or shoulder i a tissueis not available. Make sure your child throws tissues away right ater use.

Make sure your childs hands are washed oten, and especially ater coughing or

sneezing. Help your younger child wash them or 20 seconds with soap and water. I soap andwater are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Clean suraces and objects that your child requently touches with his or her hands,mouth, or body uids. Wipe these suraces with a household disinectant that is usually used,ollowing the directions on the product label. Additional disinection o these suraces beyond

routine cleaning is not recommended.

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 asthe main caregiver or the sick child.

For more inormation about u, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.u.gov.

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Steps the Child Care or Early Childhood Programis Taking Now

This template can be customized and used as an announcement via e-mail, Web site, program

newsletter, or other creative ways to reach parents and program sta.

Coordinate eorts with your local health department beore distributing this letter or e-mailcommunication to ensure that all inormation is timely, relevant, and accurate.

Steps the Program is Taking Now

At this time, program sta and children who are NOT sick can saely come to the early childhood

program. We are working closely with the [county/city] health department and will keep you updated

with any important inormation regarding the current u conditions.

The ollowing steps are being taken at our program to help keep children and sta rom getting sick

with u.

Encouraging our sta to get vaccinated or seasonal fu and 2009 H1N1 fu (irecommended).

Encouraging parents to have children (6 months o age and older) vaccinated orseasonal u and 2009 H1N1 u. Children under the age o 5 years are at higher risk or u

complications.

Child care providers are educated and encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with

a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and are teaching children how to do the same.

Child care providers are practicing good hand hygiene and we are providing the time and

supplies or sta and children to wash their hands as oten as necessary. Our sta is activelyhelping children wash their hands requently.

We are perorming a daily health check o children and sta when they arrive at thechild care program. Please make sure your contact inormation is up-to-date so we can

contact you to pick up your child i he or she becomes sick.I children or sta have fu-like symptoms, they are kept in a separate, but supervised,

spaceuntil they can go home. We are also limiting the number o sta who takes care o sick

children.

We are asking parents and sta to keep themselves and children home i they havefu-like illness. They should stay home until at least 24 hours ater they are ree o ever (100degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius measured by mouth), or signs o a ever (chills,

eeling very warm, a ushed appearance, or sweating). This should be determined without theuse o ever-reducing medicines (any medicine that contains ibuproen or acetaminophen).

We are requently cleaning suraces and items that children touch with their hands,mouths, and body uids such as toys, diaper stations, chairs, or playground equipment.

We may decide to temporarily close the program i there is a lot o fu in the community.

Please consider alternate child care arrangements in case we need to close temporarily. Checkwith your employer to fnd out i they will allow you to stay at home to care or your children.

Ask i you can work rom home. I this is not possible, start planning or other ways to care oryour children at home.

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I the u conditions become MORE severe, we will consider adding the ollowing steps:

Extending the time sick children or child care providers stay home to at least 7 days,

even i they eel better. Those who are still sick ater 7 days should continue to stay home untilat least 24 hours ater symptoms have gone away.

Allowing children and sta at higher risk or fu complications to stay home. Parents

and sta should make this decision in consultation with their health care provider.Finding ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in our program bydividing classes into smaller groups, moving play stations arther apart, and holding classes

outdoors, weather permitting.

Considering temporarily closing the program i we are unable to continue to operate

because many sta and children are at home or i CDC or our health department asks us toclose to help decrease the spread o u in our community.

For additional inormation about u, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.u.gov.

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Child Care or Early Childhood Program is SuspendedThis template can be customized and used as an announcement via e-mail, Web site, early

childhood program newsletter, or other creative ways to reach parents and child care providers.

Coordinate eorts with your local health department beore distributing this letter or e-mail

communication to ensure that all inormation is timely, relevant, and accurate.

[Child care or the early childhood program] at [name o program] has been suspended as a

result o severe fu in the area. Children and sta should not report to the program.

We have been working closely with the [county/city] health department to determine thecurrent fu conditions in our community. The program will be closed or [5-7] days to

reduce the risk o children and early childhood providers getting sick and to limit the

spread o inection.

Early childhood program closure is likely to decrease the spread o u when used early when the

u appears in the community and when used together with other strategies.

Parents should fnd out i their employer will allow them to stay at home to care or children

whose child care or early childhood programs have closed. Ask i you can work rom home.Find other ways to care or your children at home. Try to develop sae backup child care

arrangements with neighbors, riends, co-workers, or church groups. These should consist o smallgroups o children (or example, groups o 6 or ewer children) and have a stable early childhoodprovider.

We will provide updates on the closure o[name o program]. Call [phone number] or visit our Web

site [i program has a Web site, insert Web address] or more inormation.

For more inormation about the u, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.u.gov.

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Child Care or Early Childhood Program has Re-OpenedThis template can be customized and used as an announcement via e-mail, Web site, program

newsletter, or other creative ways to reach parents and program sta.

Coordinate eorts with your local health department beore distributing this letter or e-mail

communication to ensure that all inormation is timely, relevant, and accurate.

[Name o program] services will resume on [date].

Even though children and sta can return to the acility, the u is still spreading in the community

and you can take important steps to continue to help slow the spread o u.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. I you dont have atissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands. Teach your children

how to do this.

Continue to wash your hands oten with soap and water, especially ater coughing or

sneezing. I soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand rubs can also be used. Parentsand child care providers should wash the hands o children who cannot yet wash themselves,and closely monitor children who have not yet mastered proper hand hygiene.

I a child or member o the program sta is sick they should stay home until at least 24

hours ater they are ree o ever(100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius measured

by mouth), or signs o a ever (chills, eeling very warm, a ushed appearance, or sweating). Thisshould be determined without the use o ever-reducing medicines (any medicine that contains

ibuproen or acetaminophen). [This bullet may need to be adapted i decisions are made with yourlocal public health ofcials to extend the amount o time that sick people stay home.]

Our program will continue to conduct daily health checks o children and sta and will send sick

children and sta home.

For program updates, call [phone number], or visit our Web site at [web address].

For more inormation about the u, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.u.gov.

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Additional CommunicationResources for Child Care and

Early Childhood Programs

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1 of 4

Additional Communication Resources forChild Care and Early Childhood Programs

CDC CDC Posters about Flu Prevention for Child Careand Early Childhood ProgramsUse the ollowing posters and act sheets in your oces, play areas, hallways, break

rooms, and restrooms to educate child care and early childhood program sta and

amilies about ways to prevent the spread o fu. Consider providing posters and

fyers to parents.

www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm (available in different sizes and languages)

,-/"**,

-

"6,"1/"-

i}>`-iiii>>`"EAGERMSTOPPERATSCHOOLANDHOME#OVERYOURMOUTHANDNOSEWHENYOUCOUGHORSNEEZE5SEATISSUEANDTHROWITAWAY

LEANYOURHANDSALOT!FTERYOUSNEEZEORCOUGH

!FTERUSINGTHEBATHROOM

"EFOREYOUEAT

"EFOREYOUTOUCHYOUREYESMOUTHORNOSE

7ASHINGHANDSWITH OAPANDWATERISBEST7ASHLONGNOUGHTOSINGTHEh(APPY"IRTHDAYvSONGTWICE/RUSEGELSOR

WIPESWITHALCOHOLINTHEM4HISALCOHOLKILLSGERMS

3TOPGERMS!NDSTOPCOLDSANDmU

WWWCDCGOVGERMSTOPPER

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Other Posters about Flu Prevention for Child Care and EarlyChildhood Programs

www.publichealth.va.gov/fu/materials (includes other posters, brochures, buttons,stickers, and other materials)

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CDC Fact Sheets, Brochures, and Flyers about Flu Preventionfor Child Care and Early Childhood Programs and Parents

Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School

www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm (available in English and other

languages)

2009 H1N1 Flu: Flyers & Other Print Materials

www.cdc.gov/h1n1fu/fyers.htm (includes brochures, fyers, act sheets, and othermaterials about 2009 H1N1 fu and seasonal fu)

Seasonal and Novel H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents

www.cdc.gov/fu/proessionals/fugallery/200910/parents_guide.htm

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Widgets

A widget is an application that displays the eatured content directly on your Webpage. Once youve added the widget to your Web site, theres no maintenance. WhenCDC.gov updates content, your site will be updated automatically. You will have up-todate, credible health inormation on your Web page.

You can easily add a CDC widget to your Web page. Use CDC widgets to keep your

students, aculty, and sta inormed about fu. When they click on the widget, yourWeb page displays the eatured, uptodate content.

CDCs fu widgets are available at www.cdc.gov/widgets. For more CDC social mediatools, go to: www.cdc.gov/socialmedia/h1n1.

Flu.gov widgets are available at www.hhs.gov/web/library/hhsfuwidgets.html.For more Flu.gov social media tools, go to www.fu.gov/news/socialmedia.

Sample Widgets

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