IT'S HANDWASHING
SEASON!
(This was written in the cold and flu season of 2003-04)
As you might know, there has been a significant increase of illness in our
school community this week. I thought as parents, you should be aware
of what students have had.
There are several cases of strep throat-a sore throat caused by a bacterium.
Most sore throats are caused by cold viruses, and are not strep. Strep sore
throats are characterized by a sudden and severe sore throat and fever.
If your child experiences these symptoms a throat culture should be done.
It is important that strep infections be treated to prevent any serious medical
conditions later on.
Secondly, you should know that there has been one confirmed case of influenza-A
among our students. Influenza is caused by a virus, and symptoms
develop more slowly and include fever, headache, congestion, cough, and muscle
aches and fatigue. People generally feel so miserable they do not want
to get out of bed.
Lastly, the common cold virus is here as well. Sometimes the common
cold and influenza can be complicated by a bacterial infection such as an
ear infection, sinus infection, or pneumonia.
Luckily there are many things that help prevent the spread of disease.
These include:
Practice extra good health habits. Make an effort to eat healthy foods that
contain all the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for your body to
work well. All family members should get PLENTY of sleep. Getting young people
to bed as early as possible goes a long way for everyone! Drink
plenty of liquids to stay hydrated.
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING ANYONE CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT ILLNESS IS
FREQUENT HANDWASHING. This means washing hands after every time the nose is
blown, coughing occurs, before eating, and anytime one is close to an ill
person.
Teach children good hygiene. A runny nose should be blown into a disposable
tissue which is directly thrown away. Children should be taught not
to touch their noses and faces or those of anyone else. Hands and fingers
should not be put in the mouth. Have children cough into their sleeves
rather than their hands. ENCOURAGE FREQUENT HANDWASHING (this cannot be stressed
enough).
Get outside and exercise. The reason illness occurs in the winter is because
so many people are in heated buildings close to one another. As weather
permits, encourage children to play outside. If dressed appropriately
they are much less apt to come in contact with germs outdoors. They'll be
getting Vitamin D and a lift of the spirit exercising in fresh air provides!
Open your windows whenever possible to exchange the air in your home. Turn
the heat down anytime you can.
Keep skin and lips well lubricated to prevent scratching and cracking. Germs
are always around looking for a way to enter the body.
Take a reading of the stressors on your family this busy season. Research
is showing a link between stress and an inefficient immune system. Slow down,
take time to enjoy each other instead of overdoing it. Skip things that
are not so important, everyone will be happier and healthier for it!
Please be vigilant for the beginning of any illness in your child. At this
time I ask you to keep all sick children home for the benefit of all.
At the first sign of illness allow the child to sleep as much as possible,
give over the counter medications that may help the symptoms, and have your
child drink copious amounts of fluids.
Call your physician if you suspect a bacterial illness or if a high fever
lasts for several days. If you have questions about influenza
the State has established a hot line that you can call: 271-4482 or check
the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu.
As always, do not hesitate to call the school with any concerns.
Sincerely,
Sheila Conley, RN, Harold Martin School
Jan Hilliard, RN, Health Coordinator, Hopkinton School District