News from the Nurse

Mrs. Johnson, RN

School Nurse

Phone Number :
856-447-4673, option 2

Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:30 am to 3:30pm

Pre- School Students

Just a Reminder!!!!

Recent revisions to New Jersey law now requires that every child 6 months though 59 months of age, attending a preschool facility on or after September 1, 2008, shall annually receive at least one dose of Influenza vaccine between September 1 and December 31 of each year.

As your child is enrolled in a Preschool Program, your child will need to receive at least one dose of the Flu Vaccine this fall.

Once your child has received the Flu Vaccine, please forward documentation from her/his physician with the month, day, and year it was given, so your child’s school health record may be updated. Your physician may provide a copy of your child’s immunization record, or document the information on the bottom portion of this form. This information must be provided to the school by December 23, 2009.

Please contact your physician as soon as possible to schedule an appointment so that you child is properly immunized.

If your child does not receive the state required vaccine prior to December 31, 2009, he/she will not be permitted to return to school when we resume in January 2010.

Flu Websites:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/flu/documents/guide_for_parents.pdf

http://www.state.nj.us/health/flu/forcaregiver.shtml

http://www.flu.gov/

What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus that is resistant to methicillin is also resistant to other penicillins and to cephalosporins.
How does MRSA affect people? People can carry the bacteria in the nose or on the skin without having any illness. This is called colonization and these individuals are "carriers" of MRSA.
MRSA can also cause infections ranging from skin sores to pneumonia. People with an infection and can pass the bacteria more easily to other people.

For more MRSA information click here!

New Requirements for 6th Graders:

v Tdap Vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) Beginning September 1, 2008, every
child born on or after January 1, 1997 and
entering Grade 6 shall have received one dose of Tdap given no earlier than their 10^th birthday.
If the child received a Td booster dose less than
5 years prior to entry, they shall not be required
to receive the Tdap dose until 5 years have elapsed from the last DTP/Dtap or Td dose.

v Meningocccal Vaccine Beginning September 1, 2008 , every child born on or after January 1,
1997 and entering Grade 6 shall have received 1 dose of a meningococcal-containing vaccine, such
as the medically preferred meningococcal
conjugate vaccine.

Understanding Upper Respiratory Illnesses in Children

Upper respiratory illnesses are commonly experienced during the fall months. These infections may be caused by common cold viruses or by a group of viruses called enteroviruses.

According to the health department, most people who are infected with an enterovirus do not become ill. People who do become ill usually develop mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to a cold; or flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, sore throat and skin rash. Less commonly, some people develop meningitis.

If any symptoms appear they normally appear from 2-10 days after infection. The usual duration of illness is 3-6 days. Enteroviruses can be found in respiratory secretions, saliva, and stool of an infected person. People may become infected through direct contact with the secretions, saliva or stool from an infected person or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects such as a drinking glass.

Because enteroviruses are commonly found in our environment, the best way to prevent infections is through good personal hygiene, especially hand washing after using the bathroom, before eating and after you sneeze or cough.

Most sore throats are causes by viruses as seen in colds or seasonal allergies. However, for children between the ages of two and eighteen, there is a tendency to develop “strep” throat.

According to literature, you can suspect “strep” most strongly if the tonsils are beefy red, the uvula is red and swollen (the fleshly part at the back of the throat that hang down like a raindrop) and there are big lymph nodes in the neck and under the chin.

The only certain way to diagnose “strep” throat is with a throat culture. The physician will usually prescribe an antibiotic such as penicillin and your child should stay out of school at least 24 hours after the medication has started.

Is my child too ill to attend school?

arents are often confronted with this decision when their child complains of not feeling well. The guidelines shown below may be helpful. It will not cover every medical condition and does not take the place of seeking medical attention. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice.

Fever - 100 degrees or higher - A fever is a sign of illness. A child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher should not attend school. The child should be free of fever for 24 hours, without fever-reducing agents (like Tylenol and Motrin) before returning to school.

Sore Throat/Colds/Cough - Minor cold symptoms are common and usually don't interfere with school attendance. A persistent, frequent cough and/or constant nasal drainage may affect your child's performance at school, and he/she may be more comfortable at home.

Rash - A rash may cover the entire body or only one area. A child that has a rash that is draining, has open areas or is causing the child to itch excessively should not attend school. A rash accompanied with other symptoms such as: a fever, sore throat, irritability, vomiting, etc. should not attend school.

Vomiting/Diarrhea - A child who has vomited should wait 24 hours and be able to retain solid foods before returning to school. A child who is having frequent diarrhea stools should not attend school. If there is cramping/abdominal pain with diarrhea, the student may be more comfortable at home.

HEALTH FORMS:

Save our Smiles

Health History

Medication Consent

Rev 10/5/09.