The CDC has revised its guidelines on when schools should close. This was done for a number of reasons one of which is that the H1N1 flu virus has not caused severe illness despite the fact that 2 people have died in the U.S.

Of the 2 people who died, the first was a Mexican child with pre-existing medical issues who was visiting in the U.S. The second death that occured recently involved a pregnant 33 year old woman apparently with pre-existing medical issues as well.  Given that there are over 36,000 deaths annually from “normal” flu related illness, the H1N1 virus appears to cause only mild symptoms in otherwise healthy people.

Shutting schools placed an enormous burden on working parents who needed to arrange childcare during this period of time. Many working parents faced unpaid time off from work and possible job losses because of these closures. Certainly, if the H1N1 virus proved to be more deadly, these measures would make sense.

The CDC to its credit, responded quickly and revised its recommendations on school closures given the mildness of the illness, strain on parents, impact on students sitting for SATs/ finals and the economic burden on businesses.

School and public health officials are now focusing on keeping sick children/teachers home and maintaining good hand washing/coughing etiquette in public places.

The following recommendations have been taken from the CDC site:

• School closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function.
• Schools that were closed based on previous interim CDC guidance related to this outbreak may reopen.
• Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.
• Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7 days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
• Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during the school day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.
• Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of influenza-like illness.
• Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in settings other than school.
• School administrators should communicate regularly with local public health officials to obtain guidance about reporting of influenza-like illnesses in the school.
• Schools can help serve as a focus for educational activities aimed at promoting ways to reduce the spread of influenza, including hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
• Students, faculty and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn’t available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible.