Everyone's bracing for another bout. Crews in the Issaquah School District have been scrubbing down buildings. Candy Hammer - the Facility Services supervisor - says they've even purchased a new sanitizer that turns tap water into a disinfectant by charging it with electricity . It's the first school district in the state to use this technology.
"It even kills MRSA and staph. The germ kill-rate on the sanitizer is higher than the disinfectant we were using. And after it kills the germs, it turns back into water, so it's safe," says Hammer.
But staff and teachers are stocking up on the basics: hand sanitizer and wipes. Parents like Randy Wilson are doing the same.
"They've got them all in their backpacks, so that's the first start. The hand wipes are ready to go," says Wilson.
Health experts say now is the time to remind your children of the basics: wash your hands with soap and water, cover your coughs and sneezes. It's estimated the Swine flu could hit 40% of population over the next couple of years.
"We definitely expect outbreaks and we wouldn't be surprised if it happened earlier than the typical season of January and February. We wouldn't be surprised if we see a lot of activity in September and October when kids go back to school," says Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett with the Seattle/King County Department of Health.
Unlike other flu strains, H1N1 did not take a break this summer. For example, government officials say more than 80 summer camps around the country reported outbreaks.
And while researchers have been conducting local and national vaccine trials, the vaccine won't be ready until mid-October, so we could see a resurgence early on. There won't be as much vaccine as was initially predicted either - only 45 million doses in the beginning. The rest coming in waves of 20 million doses, every week, until the total of 195 million doses is reached.
Once the vaccine becomes available, the Centers for Disease Control says pregnant women, health care workers, children and young adults between 6 months and 24 years will have priority. Parents, child care workers and those with chronic illnesses will also be among the first who can get the shots. Those 65 and above are not part of the priority group this time.
"With the new strain, the elderly population hasn't been impacted as much as other age groups," says Dr. Kwan-Gett. So far, children, young adults and those under 50 have accounted for 75% percent of hospitalizations and 60% percent of deaths.
That's why doctors are urging parents to take precautions now. They could help slow the spread of the virus.
But don't expect to see school closures like we did in the spring - more than 700 schools nationwide closed because of Swine flu outbreaks. Instead, the federal government is recommending parents keep sick kids at home, and schools stay open.
Nonetheless, parents need to have a back-up plan, just in case. The federal government is even asking employers to be understanding, and to prepare for more people calling in sick. The Centers for Disease Control recommend neither you, nor your child should return to work, or school, until you're fever-free for more than 24-hours without the help of medication.
In most instances, the Swine flu strain has been mild. Symptoms mirror the traditional flu. You should get medical attention right away if you or someone in your home:
* has difficulty breathing or chest pain
* has purple or blue lips
* is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
* shows signs of dehydration (dizziness, a lack of tear production in infants)
* suffers seizures or convulsions
* is unresponsive or confused
To date, nearly 8,000 people in the U.S. have had to be hospitalized because of H1N1, and 522 have died from the virus according to the Centers for Disease Control. Here in Washington state, the state Health Department says 148 people have been hospitalized and 12 people have died.
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