Branksome Hall | About Branksome Hall: Health Update

Branksome Hall Health Centre will use this page to provide updates on the current H1N1 health threat, issues relating to the school, and to provide resources which families may use to keep informed.

December 23, 2009

We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday! Over the holidays, please remember to practise the "Three Cs" (see below) to prevent the spread of influenza.

CISAA guidelines for athletes

All players must supply their own identified water bottles.
The league will forgo handshakes with opposing teams until further notice and instead will either exchange "three cheers" following the match or simply pass on verbal "good games" on the way through the line with no hand contact.
All jerseys, socks and undergarments should be washed after every game or practice.
Players must bring their own towels.
There will be NO sharing of any equipment. If a player forgets any piece of equipment, she will not be able to play.
Players must have hand sanitizer in their bags and use it often.
If a player has any flu-like symptoms or does not feel 100%, she should not attend a practice or a game. Contact your coaches and let them know, but under no circumstances do we want any player who doesn't feel well near any other players.

Campus Initiatives

Branksome Hall has taken many steps to prevent the spread of influenza or other illnesses, including the following:

Numerous hand sanitizers have been installed around the school.
Sessions on the importance of hand-washing and practising “cough etiquette” have been provided for students.
New “sneeze guards” have been added to the food stations in our dining facilities.
Extra cleaning is being provided in places such as shared computer keyboards, stairway handrails and the handles of school entrance doors.

Prevention

Prevention is the best protection against influenza. Follow these “Three Cs” to help prevent the spread of influenza:

Clean:
Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Cover:
Use a tissue or the crook of elbow to cover coughs and sneezes as opposed to your hands.
Cover your nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissues properly.

Contain:
If you’re not feeling well, stay at home so that the illness is not spread to others.
Do not share your utensils, drinks or personal care items.

We thank all Branksome families for reinforcing these practices at home to help minimize the spread of germs.

More information>>

Signs and Symptoms

People with Influenza A (H1N1) may suffer from fever, headache, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and chills.

Branksome Hall strongly encourages you to keep your daughter at home if she has a fever or is unwell. Furthermore, we urge you to call your physician if your child becomes ill with the above symptoms.

If you have any questions about H1N1, please contact your family doctor.

Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
But 60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms such as high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache occurs in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is sometimes present with the H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

Online information resources

This year it's a different flu season: Influenza prevention and care (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
Toronto Public Health
WHO - World Health Organization
CDC - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health Canada

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