The goal of school health services is to strengthen and facilitate the educational process by improving and protecting the health status of children and staff. Parents/guardians and educational professionals know that the health and intellectual development of children are inextricably related. Certain health services are mandated by the state because they are necessary either to protect the public health or to support the continuing participation of children in school. For instance, screening of students for current immunization helps to reduce absences due to illness. Screening for reduced vision or hearing identifies the need for equipment or accommodations to remove obstacles to learning. School health services staff provide physical and emotional support so that children can better cope with periodic illness and injury, which are commonly a part of growing up.
School attendance
School attendance is essential to learning therefore; we try to provide the healthiest school environment possible. According to guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and our school physician, no child will be allowed to remain in school if any of the following conditions are present:
1. if she/he has a temperature of 100 degrees F or greater
2. A persistent cough or cold
3. Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 12 hours
4. A skin rash that cannot be identified
5. Red, itchy eyes with drainage (Pink Eye)
6. A contagious illness i.e.: Chicken Pox or Strep Throat
7. Head or body lice with nits (eggs) on the hair.
Please notify the school nurse within 24 hours if your child contracts any contagious disease. Children must be fever free without medication and symptom free (vomiting, diarrhea) for 24 hours before returning to school. Students too ill to attend school 5 days in a row are required to bring in a note from a medical professional on the day of their return to school.
Health Information
Cold and Flu
Cold and flu result in more absences in school age children than almost any other illness. Viruses cause most colds and flu. Penicillin or other antibiotics cannot help viral infections. If the child has a fever or cannot do their class work they should not be in school. Call your student’s health care provider if the cold is accompanied by the signs of a bacterial infection, such as persistent cough or a cough that produces yellow or green phlegm, high fever (102 degrees or above), pain in the ears, sinus or chest, or severe sore throat. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.
This is a list of suggestions that may be helpful for you if your child is suffering from cold or flu.
• Get plenty of rest. If he/she is having difficulty breathing because of congestion, you can try
having them sleep propped up with pillows.
• Drink plenty of fluids (hot or cold)
• Frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of germs.
• Clean contaminated household objects (i.e. phones and toys) frequently.
Wash dishes in hot soapy water.
• Try to have your child keep his/her hands away from his/her face.
• Using a vaporizer or humidifier may help with congestion.
• Eat when hungry.
• Parents can consider using a decongestant, pain relievers or Vitamin C supplements to relieve
the symptoms of colds and flu as directed by your health care provider or pharmacist.
Coughing
Coughing is how the body clears irritants in the respiratory system, so it's not wise to suppress it completely. Most people cough regularly but are not aware of it. It's only when it accompanies a cold or interferes with sleep that they seek help. Some people cough to release nervous tension.
There are two types of cough:
The dry, hacking cough is caused by a virus infection, cold or dry air, or air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, smog and dust. This sometimes feels like a tickle at the back of your throat. The loose productive cough is a sign of chest congestion or infection due to colds or flu. It clears the lungs and air passages of excess mucus.
Coughs are also caused by:
√ Sore throat due to dripping nasal passageways, which occurs with some allergies and
sinusitis.
The trickling of mucus from the back of your nose down your throat causes irritation.
√ Asthma. Constant coughing with no sign of cold or flu can be due to undiagnosed, mild
asthma,
an inflammation and constriction in the air passages.
√ Medications. Coughing can be a side effect of beta blockers, inhaled corticosteroids or ACE
inhibitors prescribed for high blood pressure and heart disease.
Call your students Doctor if:
● A cough is accompanied by severe hoarseness or hacking, rash or persistent headache.
● A cough is accompanied by sore throat with swollen lymph nodes
● Experience chest pains, shortness of breath or wheezing.
● Mucus from nose or chest becomes greenish or dark yellow.
● Temperature above 101 F or night sweats that last more than three days.
Try these web-sites to access a variety of medical information for children and adults.
1. WebMD - http://my.webmd.com
2. NOAH - http://www.noah-health.org
3. Family Doctor - http://familydoctor.org
4. Center of Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov
5. Massachusetts Department of Public Health - http://www.state.ma.us/dph/dphhome.htm
6. Health and Human Services - http://www.hhs.gov
7. Kids Guide to Health - http://kidshealth.org/kid/index.jsp
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