Parents,
Please be aware that we have lice in several grades right now. Please check your child's hair AT LEAST every week. If you have never dealt with lice, and do not know what to look for, please go to www.headlice.org . This is a great website, all scientifically-based research, and pictures of what to look for. Lice outbreaks at this time of the year are very common, with cold weather, lots of extra clothing, and folks "huddling together" to stay warm. Please watch carefully and let me know if you see anything. Remember that no commercial lice product is 100% effective. You must be vigilant about removing eggs to prevent a re-infestation. Remind your children that they may not share any hair-related items. Students with long hair are safest with their hair pulled back close to their head, either ponytail or braids. Send them to school that way EVERY day! You do NOT want to have to deal with this problem if you can avoid it!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
SBISD Medication Policies
SBISD has very specific policies regarding medication use at school. There is a link to the required forms on the RCE campus home page. I also have the forms in the school clinic.
ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION must have a form signed by both the doctor and the parent...NO EXCEPTIONS, and they MUST be in the pharmacy container! NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDS may be signed for by the parent, and must be given according to the label on the package (age /weight). All medications must be in the original container. Children are not permitted to transport medication to school. All of these policies are for your child's protection.
Here are a few tips to make this easier for you:
1. If the pediatrician prescribes med for your child and you do not have the SBISD form, ask them to write a note to the school on an "official" pad, with your child's name, the name of and schedule for medication(times of day and for how many days), and then their signature. We can attach that to the SBISD form which the parent signs.
2. When you have the prescription filled, ask the pharmacist for duplicate containers. Measure medication for school and bring only that container to school. Prescription meds must have the pharmacy label.
3. Liquids that need refrigeration (many antibiotics) lose potency when they are not kept cold. DO NOT have your child carry these medications back and forth every day....it is not good for the medication and so not good for your child.
4. Do not wrap Tylenol or Motrin in a bag or foil and put it in your child's lunch box, just in case they need it later in the day! Teachers are always on the lookout for contraband! and they will send your child to me with the medication. We cannot give them any medication that is not provided according to SBISD policies. It is not safe for your child to carry medication. Have you seen our lost and found pile???...things get lost at school! We want to protect ALL of our children from contact with unknown substances at school.
ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION must have a form signed by both the doctor and the parent...NO EXCEPTIONS, and they MUST be in the pharmacy container! NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDS may be signed for by the parent, and must be given according to the label on the package (age /weight). All medications must be in the original container. Children are not permitted to transport medication to school. All of these policies are for your child's protection.
Here are a few tips to make this easier for you:
1. If the pediatrician prescribes med for your child and you do not have the SBISD form, ask them to write a note to the school on an "official" pad, with your child's name, the name of and schedule for medication(times of day and for how many days), and then their signature. We can attach that to the SBISD form which the parent signs.
2. When you have the prescription filled, ask the pharmacist for duplicate containers. Measure medication for school and bring only that container to school. Prescription meds must have the pharmacy label.
3. Liquids that need refrigeration (many antibiotics) lose potency when they are not kept cold. DO NOT have your child carry these medications back and forth every day....it is not good for the medication and so not good for your child.
4. Do not wrap Tylenol or Motrin in a bag or foil and put it in your child's lunch box, just in case they need it later in the day! Teachers are always on the lookout for contraband! and they will send your child to me with the medication. We cannot give them any medication that is not provided according to SBISD policies. It is not safe for your child to carry medication. Have you seen our lost and found pile???...things get lost at school! We want to protect ALL of our children from contact with unknown substances at school.
11/14/07
STREP THROAT seems to be on the rise at RCE. Several parents have told me in the past few days that their child was diagnosed with it.
Symptoms to watch for include: sore throat, sometimes accompanied by stomach ache, and fairly high fever, occasionally vomiting. Sometimes children have NONE of these!
Strep throat is diagnosed by strep tests, one rapid and one that takes longer. The rapid strep test can give false negative readings, so many doctors will do both if they suspect strep but get a positive result from the rapid test.
Strep throat needs to be treated by a full course of antibiotics. That means USE ALL OF THE MEDICINE!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!! It might help to ask the doctor to prescribe medication that needs to be given 2 or 3 times per day rather than 4 times per day…it’s just easier to remember to give all of the doses that way. Leave reminders around the house where you will see it. Stopping the antibiotic early, “because they feel better” can help the bacteria get stronger and mutate, requiring even stronger antibiotics. DON’T DO IT! Remember that untreated strep throats can progress to Scarlet Fever and eventually Rheumatic fever, which is rare but can effect your child’s heart. So take notice!
STREP THROAT seems to be on the rise at RCE. Several parents have told me in the past few days that their child was diagnosed with it.
Symptoms to watch for include: sore throat, sometimes accompanied by stomach ache, and fairly high fever, occasionally vomiting. Sometimes children have NONE of these!
Strep throat is diagnosed by strep tests, one rapid and one that takes longer. The rapid strep test can give false negative readings, so many doctors will do both if they suspect strep but get a positive result from the rapid test.
Strep throat needs to be treated by a full course of antibiotics. That means USE ALL OF THE MEDICINE!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!! It might help to ask the doctor to prescribe medication that needs to be given 2 or 3 times per day rather than 4 times per day…it’s just easier to remember to give all of the doses that way. Leave reminders around the house where you will see it. Stopping the antibiotic early, “because they feel better” can help the bacteria get stronger and mutate, requiring even stronger antibiotics. DON’T DO IT! Remember that untreated strep throats can progress to Scarlet Fever and eventually Rheumatic fever, which is rare but can effect your child’s heart. So take notice!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Pre- K and Kindergarten ailments
We have seen several ilnesses recently in Pre-K and Kindergarten that parents need to know about. The stomach virus that has been making the rounds is sometimes accompanied by high fever (may get to 103 or 104 before Tylenol/ Motrin) for a day or two, and stomach upset/ diarrhea that lasts for several days. Children seem to begin to feel better, but diarrhea persists for several days. Remember to gradually re-introduce solid food. Begin with clear fluids, such as water, ginger ale, clear soups, while they are having severe diarrhea. Ask your pediatrician about using pedialite during this time, helpful in preventing dehydration. There is new thought about what foods to use with children who are just getting over severe diarrhea, but who still have episodes of it, especially after they eat. Ask your doctor about the BRAT diet. Some pediatricians favor it, others do not. And, please keep your child at home while your child has diarrhea. Place extra clothing in your child's backpack when they are ready to return to school, just in case.
The other thing to watch for is persistent coughing (lasting for several days), with later fever development. If the fever (over 103) is untouched by medication (Tylenol, Motrin) and other interventions (lukewarm bathing), call your pediatrician. With 2 of our kiddos, chest films (xray) revealed pneumonia, even after the doctor heard nothing when listening to each child's chest. Hearing nothing may be a sign that part of their lung is blocked by the pneumonia. Both doctors remarked at the difficulty of diagnosis, because it didn't sound like typical pneumonia sounds.
The other thing to watch for is persistent coughing (lasting for several days), with later fever development. If the fever (over 103) is untouched by medication (Tylenol, Motrin) and other interventions (lukewarm bathing), call your pediatrician. With 2 of our kiddos, chest films (xray) revealed pneumonia, even after the doctor heard nothing when listening to each child's chest. Hearing nothing may be a sign that part of their lung is blocked by the pneumonia. Both doctors remarked at the difficulty of diagnosis, because it didn't sound like typical pneumonia sounds.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Flu Shots
11/1/07
I was a little bit concerned when I realized that we gave only 30 FLU SHOTS at RCE this year. In past years we have given between 80-100. I am hoping that our reduced numbers are due more to the easy availability this year (you can get it at most pharmacies in local supermarkets right now) rather than apathy about the approaching flu season. If you have not yet received your flu shot or provided this for your children, now is the time to do this. We can’t predict how severe this year’s flu season will be. So, get ready for it now!
From the Centers for Disease Control: This year, Tuesday November 27, 2007, is set aside as Children’s Flu Vaccination Day, with a focus on vaccinating high-risk children. Each year, over 20,000 children are hospitalized as a result of influenza. This day will help raise awareness about the value of vaccinating children—especially high-risk children—and their close contacts.
We do have a number of children at RCE who are considered “high risk”. If your child is one of them (and children with a history of asthma are considered high risk for flu) hopefully you have already taken care of this. Even if your child is super-healthy, remember that they come in contact with other family members, teachers and students, who may either transmit the flu to them, or become very ill if they contract the flu. Do your part now to protect your family and community.
I was a little bit concerned when I realized that we gave only 30 FLU SHOTS at RCE this year. In past years we have given between 80-100. I am hoping that our reduced numbers are due more to the easy availability this year (you can get it at most pharmacies in local supermarkets right now) rather than apathy about the approaching flu season. If you have not yet received your flu shot or provided this for your children, now is the time to do this. We can’t predict how severe this year’s flu season will be. So, get ready for it now!
From the Centers for Disease Control: This year, Tuesday November 27, 2007, is set aside as Children’s Flu Vaccination Day, with a focus on vaccinating high-risk children. Each year, over 20,000 children are hospitalized as a result of influenza. This day will help raise awareness about the value of vaccinating children—especially high-risk children—and their close contacts.
We do have a number of children at RCE who are considered “high risk”. If your child is one of them (and children with a history of asthma are considered high risk for flu) hopefully you have already taken care of this. Even if your child is super-healthy, remember that they come in contact with other family members, teachers and students, who may either transmit the flu to them, or become very ill if they contract the flu. Do your part now to protect your family and community.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Welcome to the Nurse's Blog
October 31, 2007 We are beginning to see cases of lice in a few students. The ones I have seen are in grades 1, 2 and 3. This is a good time for a few reminders about lice…according to an article in yesterday’s Houston Chronicle, we are getting into the time of the year with cooler weather when we tend to huddle together more and wear, and perhaps share, more clothing, both of which provide more opportunities to share critters. So, take the time to be proactive with your children. Check their hair weekly under a bright light or outside in the sun for anything that should not be there. Check more frequently if they are itchy or if you hear of a case among their friends or classmates. Look from different angles, a section of hair at a time. If you do not know what to look for, go to www.headlice.org for pictures of both lice and their eggs. You may not see lice, as they are fast moving bugs. You may instead see eggs attached to your child’s hair. Something has put them there, so eggs are a sign of lice infestation. I caution you not to overlook the signs. The longer you take to deal with this, the bigger the job you will have.
Treating a lice infestation takes time and patience. Call me if you feel like crying...it can be overwhelming. There are many products on the market…read product literature carefully, consider the chemicals in each product. Commercial products contain pesticides…that’s what kills the bugs. Do not OVEREXPOSE your child to pesticides. Know that there are some “natural” products and methods available. Also know that no product is 100% effective…there is NO magic bullet no matter how much you pay for a product. This is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, so take a deep breath, and maybe get some good videos for your child to watch as you go through their hair. Remember, that the key to getting rids of lice is to keep the hair clear of eggs. Then, after treating your child, you must clean your home, clothing, bed linens and towels, furniture, carpets, and car…anywhere lice may hide. Try to involve your entire family in this process…it’s too much for you to do alone.
Again I urge you to take a look at www.headlice.org This is a very informative website, backed by research, aware of health concerns caused by some treatments, and with many good suggestions and alternatives.
Please remember that your child did not invite the little critters to take up residence in their hair, but your child can take some responsibility to protect themselves from future contact. So, help them learn how to protect themselves from lice.
Girls with longer hair are safest when their hair is worn close to their heads, which means: ponytails, braids, pig tails, etc. EVERYDAY!
NO SHARING anything that has contact with hair: hats, scarves, head-bands, combs, brushes, hairclips, hooded jackets, helmets (batting, football, bicycle), etc.
Sleepovers: have your child bring their own pillows and blankets.
Check family members weekly.
Let the school nurse know if your child has lice. This helps me find contacts who may be in school. I’m a good secret keeper and will not tell others.
Treating a lice infestation takes time and patience. Call me if you feel like crying...it can be overwhelming. There are many products on the market…read product literature carefully, consider the chemicals in each product. Commercial products contain pesticides…that’s what kills the bugs. Do not OVEREXPOSE your child to pesticides. Know that there are some “natural” products and methods available. Also know that no product is 100% effective…there is NO magic bullet no matter how much you pay for a product. This is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, so take a deep breath, and maybe get some good videos for your child to watch as you go through their hair. Remember, that the key to getting rids of lice is to keep the hair clear of eggs. Then, after treating your child, you must clean your home, clothing, bed linens and towels, furniture, carpets, and car…anywhere lice may hide. Try to involve your entire family in this process…it’s too much for you to do alone.
Again I urge you to take a look at www.headlice.org This is a very informative website, backed by research, aware of health concerns caused by some treatments, and with many good suggestions and alternatives.
Please remember that your child did not invite the little critters to take up residence in their hair, but your child can take some responsibility to protect themselves from future contact. So, help them learn how to protect themselves from lice.
Girls with longer hair are safest when their hair is worn close to their heads, which means: ponytails, braids, pig tails, etc. EVERYDAY!
NO SHARING anything that has contact with hair: hats, scarves, head-bands, combs, brushes, hairclips, hooded jackets, helmets (batting, football, bicycle), etc.
Sleepovers: have your child bring their own pillows and blankets.
Check family members weekly.
Let the school nurse know if your child has lice. This helps me find contacts who may be in school. I’m a good secret keeper and will not tell others.
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