H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Facts for Staff and Parents

Horry County Schools is committed to providing staff, students and parents with the most accurate information available to guide our approach to the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

·         Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
·         Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
·         Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
·         If you get sick with influenza or influenza-like symptoms, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
·         If you live in areas where H1N1 (swine)  influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

DHEC has established a hotline to answer any questions that you have regarding H1N1 (Swine) influenza.  The hotline number is 915-8810.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine) flu in Horry County.

School District officials remain in contact with DHEC on a daily basis to monitor this situation and keep all staff, students and parents informed of any recommendations.