It is critical to the health of our youth, our schools and our nation to address the spread of germs in schools, since nearly 22 million school days are lost due to the common cold each year and about 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools.
To help stay healthy year-round, students need to get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water and eat good foods. This section features flu-related information specifically geared toward K-12 and higher education.
K-12 education
Flu viruses can spread among children who are in close contact with each other. Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.
Information for school administrators, teachers and staffLook here for more information, including school-closure guidance and the school dismissal monitoring system.
Flu guidance
CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges and Universities
H1N1 specific resources
Pandemic planning
Schools Pandemic Planning Workbook & Online Toolkit for Educators
Information for parents
Look here for more information, including flu prevention tips and what to do with your sick child.
Important Information About Seasonal and 2009 Ifluenza A H1N1 (SWINE) Flu
Information for Schools on the flu
Information on the Flu & Flu Vaccines
Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine
Seasonal Flu Information for Parents
Newsletter on H1N1 Influenza for Parents of Children in Day Care
Higher education
Flu viruses can spread among young adults who often live, work and study in close proximity. They are also a frequently mobile
population.
Guidance for Child Care Programs,Schools, Colleges and Universities
Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Education
Updated Guidance for Schools for the Flu Season
Camps
Flu resources for schools
Look here for more information, including the school closure map and posters.
MDCH 2009 H1N1 Influenza Posters