Dear friends of the YMCA,

As you probably know the H1N1 (Swine) flu virus is affecting Northeast Indiana. We are working very closely with local and state officials to try to prevent the spread of H1N1 among children at our child care sites, members and program participants in our wellness facilities and among our staff.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are steps everyone can take to lower their chances of getting sick:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and consider carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
• Cough into your inner elbow or into a tissue, instead of your hands. This will help prevent the spread of germs, including the flu virus.
• Get children vaccinated.
• Stay home when you are sick. Conduct daily health checks to make sure that you and your children do not have signs of the flu (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue). Anyone with a flu-like illness should remain at home and away from others for seven days after their symptoms start and at least 24 hours after they are free of fever.

There are certain people who are at an increased risk for complications from the H1N1 virus. They include:

• Women who are pregnant
• Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease, including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cancer- Diabetes- Heart disease- Kidney disorders- Liver disorders
• Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
• Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
• People with weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS or those who are receiving chemotherapy)
• People under the age of 25

If they have been in contact with someone with the flu, the individuals, or their guardians, should talk with a doctor.
Within our YMCA branches and child care sites we are following guidelines put out by the public health department and we are carefully monitoring our facilities and program participants.

We appreciate your continued cooperation and support as we work together to reduce the spread of the H1N1 flu virus in our community.

Sincerely,
Toni Kayumi
Director of Marketing & Development
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne