News Articles

(New) UPDATE -- H1N1 FLU

By N. Olsen
11 Dec

According to the most recent advisory received from Alberta Health Services for schools, a third wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic is expected shortly after Christmas. Please be advised:

"...school communities are reminded of the importance of immunization. Vaccination is the very best way to prevent influenza. Experts predict a third wave of H1N1 will arrive early in the new year. All parents, students and teachers should ensure they are protected by getting immunized as quickly as possible."

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, the local medical clinic will be provided with H1N1 vaccine as well as the seasonal flu vaccine. You are encouraged to visit with your family doctor for more information and to arrange for these vaccinations. This is the best way of protecting you and your family. In the early 1900's a similar influenza pandemic ended up taking 40 million lives worldwide, during a time when vaccinations were not available as they are now--please be wise in your choice.

For more information about H1N1 Influenza -- check out the following link: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/fs-fr_h1n1-eng.php

THIS NEXT INFORMATION is presented here for your consideration -- it makes a lot of sense and may be important for each of us:

Found on the Internet (Dr. OZ) -- this correlates with the information presented by our local health professionals (Dr. Clarke & Dr. Crawford) at our school earlier this year:

The only portals of entry for the virus are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic (pandemic) of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as its proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection--in order to prevent proliferation of the virus, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of just focusing on stockpiling a supply N95 facemasks or Tamiflu meds):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications) -- of critical importance!
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you need to eat or bathe.) -- Dr. Clarke really stressed this one!
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine or Hydrogen Peroxide if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, or hydrogen peroxide. Blowing the nose softly once a day and then swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds (Q-Tips) dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down the viral population in your nose.*
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash the proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive (stomach acid works), proliferate or do any harm.

Doctors from the CARDSTON CLINIC visited all town schools on Monday, Oct 26 and presented information about H1N1 Flu, of the importance of getting the vaccine when it becomes available (the H1N1 vaccine is a “dead vaccine” which means you can’t get the flu from the shot), as well, they stressed the importance of staying home from school (and other social settings) when you have symptoms of H1N1.

They identified the follow symptoms for watch for -- as these symptoms usually appear in combinations of at least two of the following:
--Cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat (they also noted that strep throat going around—so this, by itself, may not be H1N1)
--Fever (usually present)
--Diarhea
--Vomiting
--Body aches

Also, don't forget to follow the ongoing advice that our local doctors and health region have provided — remember to:
A. cough into your arm
B. wash your hands often (or use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol)
C. stay home if you are sick
D. if you have severe difficulty breathing--struggling for breath--get to the doctor/hospital immediately.

Share this information with others -- the tips in this bulletin will help to promote good health and may help to protect you and your family against both the H1N1 Flu and seasonal flu.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your health, the flu vaccination program, or any of the other information provided in this bulletin —please seek and follow the advice of your family doctor.

Let’s do all we can to take care of ourselves and each other!