Camper, beware: Flu germs are lurking everywhere

My daughter came down with the flu at school last week. She was immediately quarantined until we picked her up and was sent home for a week to get better, which she quickly did.

We’re seeing an extended flu season this year partly because it has been a cool spring in many parts of the country, particularly in highly populated areas, like Boston and New York. Schools are controlled environments with plenty of soap and water and regular reminders to cover up coughs and sneezes. But what about a less-controlled summer environment, like camp?

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared swine flu a pandemic earlier this month, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we’re seeing something different this year, with an extension of the typical flu season. So it’s important to stay vigilant with these simple measures.

Talk to your child’s camp about its flu prevention strategy. What will it do in case of an outbreak? Does it have a notification procedure or an e-mail list? A Consumer Reports colleague’s town, Montclair, N.J., sends out emails and text messages to keep parents informed. If your area isn’t quite as technically savvy, there’s always a good old phone tree. If your child’s camp needs help, offer to compile a list of e-mails or cell phone numbers. Also, ask the camp how it will help kids who get sick.

In addition to reminding your kids about good hygiene, ensure your kids are aware of the symptoms of flu and know that they should take them seriously by going to the nurse or health center. The government’s PandemicFlu.gov site advises that limiting contact with others, as my daughter’s school did when she was sick, is the best way to keep the virus from spreading.

—Trisha Brandon, online editor

Does your community or your child’s camp use creative ways of keeping parents informed? Tell us about them!

Images: George Ploaie and eflon