Preventing Swine Flu in Daycare
Controlling the Spread of Influenza in Preschool and Childcare
Preventing the spread of swine flu is no different than controlling most illnesses in the child care environment. Managing the spread of illness is possible with proper hand washing and diapering procedures, by cleaning toys properly, and through education.
In addition, parents must understand when to keep their children home and child care providers must know when to exclude children from care.
Hand Washing Prevents the Spread of Illness
Both child care providers and children must wash their hands with soap and water especially before handling food, after using the restroom, and after coming in from outdoors. Hand washing is essential after diapering a child, assisting children with the toilet, after wiping the face of a child, and before and after treating a wound.
Dr. Luis Rodriguez, Assistant Executive Director of Quality Improvement & Health Services at Episcopal Social Services implements the following hand washing practices:
- Use soap while rubbing hands vigorously under running water for at least 30 seconds. As a neat trick to ensure hand washers wash for an appropriate length of time, Dr. Rodriguez suggests children sing “Happy Birthday.”
- Wash all surfaces, including back of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails.
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry hands with a clean paper towels.
Use Proper Diapering Procedures
Proper handling of soiled diapers, as well as cleansing of the diaper changing area, can effectively control the spread of illness. Daycare providers should wear non-porous, disposable gloves when at the changing station and should dispose of the diaper properly so that no one else can access it (especially other children). In addition, gloves should be worn in any situation in which contact with blood or bodily fluids.
Routine Toy Cleaning Prevents the Spread of Germs
Another key step in controlling the spread of illness in daycare or preschool environments is to thoroughly clean the children’s toys. Toys should be cleaned at the end of every day with hot water and disinfectant. Be sure to place toys that have been in a child’s mouth in a container or zip loc bag after he or she is finished playing with them and set them aside to be washed and disinfected.
Education Helps Control the Spread of Illness
Part of controlling the spread of illness in daycare includes educating others about preventative measures they can take that will control the spread of infection and disease. Parents, children and staff should be educated about proper hand washing, covering of mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and obtaining the flu vaccine during the influenza season.
When to Keep a Child Home from Daycare
A child should not be present at child care if he or she has the following symptoms:
- Fever greater than or equal to 100.5 degrees F
- Moderate drainage (clear or discolored) from the mouth, nose, eyes, or ears
- Red discoloration to the whites of the eye(s)
- Skin rashes as they are difficult to diagnose unless since by a physician
- Severe abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea
- A painful, red throat, even if fever is not present
- A deep, hacking cough
- Cuts or openings on the skin that are pus-filled or oozing
If child care providers notice these symptoms, they should exclude the child from daycare or preschool until symptoms improve.
Mealtime is another activity in which germs are easily shared. Children should not be allowed to share cups or utensils at mealtime nor should there be a community snack platter. Rather, each child should have his or her own bowl or plate.
Daycares and preschools will never be germ-free, but by focusing on the above preventative measures, daycare and child care providers, as well as preschool teachers, have a better chance at reducing the spread of illnesses like the swine flu.
Preventing Swine Flu in Daycare
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