Student Health
GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING STUDENT HEALTH
Dear Parents:
As you know, the district only receives funding from the state on the days when students attend class. For this reason, the district has been campaigning to increase student attendance. However, this does not mean you should send your child to school when ill and contagious. You may wonder at what point your child should return to school when ill. Please refer to the following information as a guide.
Monitor your child for illness. A low-grade fever, complaints of sore throat or cough may be "viral" in nature, but are still contagious. Sending your child to school when ill increases the risk for infecting other students and staff. A child with a temperature (above 100 orally) will be sent home from school. If your child has been out ill with a fever, please adhere to the following guidelines when deciding if your child is well enough to return to school:
- A fever is defined as an oral temperature about 100 degrees or an axillary (armpit) temperature of 99 degrees.
- In most mild illnesses (2-5 days in duration), the fever is lowest in the morning hours, begins to increase in the afternoon, and is at its highest in the evening. When the child begins to recover, the temperature could be normal in the morning, but the fever may be present in the afternoon. As a result, please do not send your child to school if he/she has not been fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of medication such as Tylenol or Advil (Ibuprofen Motrin).
- The presence of other symptoms, to a significant degree, warrants keeping your child home an additional day. These include cough, vomiting, nasal congestion, diarrhea, and/or stomachache.
- The instructions given by your child's MD, even when in conflict with the above guidelines, should be followed.
Please note that the single most important act of prevention of colds/flu-like symptoms is good hand-washing. Please help and encourage your child to practice good hand-washing skills both at home and at school; especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and when coming into the classroom from recess.
Kindly inform your child's teacher or school nurse of an illness in the family so that appropriate precautions can be taken and for the safety of the entire Green Valley Community. Should you have any question or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher or school nurse.
Thank you for your cooperation! Have a wonderful, healthy year.
Health Educators
SRVUSD
NOTICES FROM CONTRA COSTA HEALTH SERVICES
Vaccinations
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases. The two most
common types of vaccines are:
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases. The two most
common types of vaccines are:
- An inactivated vaccine (or killed vaccine) consists of virus particles which are grown in culture and then killed using a method such as heat.Common types of inactivated vaccines used in the United States include:
- bacterial: pertussis vaccine
- viral: polio vaccine (Salk vaccine) and influenza vaccine (the flu shot)
- An attenuated vaccine (or live vaccine) is a vaccine created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen, but still keeping it viable (or "live"). Attenuation takes an infectious agent and alters it so that it becomes harmless or less virulent. Common types of attenuated vaccines used in the United States include:
- Viral: measles vaccine, mumps vaccine, rubella vaccine, live attenuated influenza vaccine (the seasonal flu nasal spray), chicken pox vaccine,and rotavirus vaccine
Additional information can be found on the following websites:
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Influenza (Flu)
The CDC recommends that children 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine. A flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. Some flu vaccines come as a “shot” (inactivated vaccine) and some as a “nasal spray” (live vaccine). Ask your health care providers which flu vaccine is the best option for you and/or your child. Children younger than 9 years old who have never received a flu shot will need to receive two doses of vaccine at least a month apart. A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.
The CDC recommends that children 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine. A flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. Some flu vaccines come as a “shot” (inactivated vaccine) and some as a “nasal spray” (live vaccine). Ask your health care providers which flu vaccine is the best option for you and/or your child. Children younger than 9 years old who have never received a flu shot will need to receive two doses of vaccine at least a month apart. A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.
The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization. There are two vaccines used in the United States to help prevent pertussis: DTaP and Tdap. Both also provide protection against tetanus and diphtheria. Children younger than 7 years old get DTaP, while older children and adults get Tdap.
Lice
Head lice are often a fact of life for school‑aged children. While inconvenient, head lice cause no medical harm and can be effectively treated. Close, head-to-head contact is the primary way head lice are spread. It has nothing to do with poor hygiene or an unclean home environment.
Head lice are often a fact of life for school‑aged children. While inconvenient, head lice cause no medical harm and can be effectively treated. Close, head-to-head contact is the primary way head lice are spread. It has nothing to do with poor hygiene or an unclean home environment.
The most common symptom of head lice is an itchy scalp, especially behind ears and at the nape of the neck. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should be taught not to share personal items such as combs, brushes, and hats. However, children should not refuse to wear protective headgear because of fear of head lice. To check for lice, part your child’s hair and look at the scalp for small white or yellow-brown specks that are firmly attached to the hair shafts. These are nits - lice eggs in their shell casings. Adult lice are more difficult to spot because they are small and will move quickly away when exposed to light. If head lice are suspected, families should consult with a healthcare provider as soon as possible There are a variety of over the counter treatments for lice such as shampoos and cream rinses.
Cleaning tips:
- Adult head lice survive less than 1-2 days, and nits (head lice eggs) generally die within a week once they fall off a person and cannot feed
- Vacuum floor and furniture where the infested person sat or lay
- Fumigants or fogs are not necessary and may be dangerous if inhaled or absorbed through the skin
- Family bed linens and recently used clothes, hats and towels, as well as personal articles such as combs, brushes and hair clips, should be washed in very hot water or sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks
Enterovirus D68
Every year, enteroviruses and rhinoviruses cause millions of respiratory illnesses in children. In 2014, EV-D68 has been the most common type of enterovirus identified, leading to increases in respiratory illnesses among children and affecting those with asthma most severely. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches a surface that is then touched by others. CDC expects that, as with other enteroviruses, EV-D68 infections will likely begin to decline by late fall. You can help prevent yourself from getting and spreading EV-D68 and other respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
Every year, enteroviruses and rhinoviruses cause millions of respiratory illnesses in children. In 2014, EV-D68 has been the most common type of enterovirus identified, leading to increases in respiratory illnesses among children and affecting those with asthma most severely. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches a surface that is then touched by others. CDC expects that, as with other enteroviruses, EV-D68 infections will likely begin to decline by late fall. You can help prevent yourself from getting and spreading EV-D68 and other respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
Additional information can be found here:
THE KINSA FLUENCY PROGRAM
The Kinsa FLUency program is now live at Green Valley! This program will keep our school healthier by:
- Giving each family a FREE Smart Thermometer
- Showing all families "what's going around" for preventative care
- Reducing sick days through early detection and increased awareness
The more families that participate, the more successful the program will be in keeping our students healthier throughout this flu season.
Signing up for the program is as easy as 1,2,3:
Signing up for the program is as easy as 1,2,3:
- Download the FREE Kinsa app for iOS or Android
- Create profiles for anyone in your family
- Go to "Groups" and search for our school using our location. Join our school group.
We are excited and proud to be chosen for this exclusive program and look forward to a healthier flu season this year! Please refer to the brochure that was (will be) sent home with your child on Monday, October 24, 2016.
Best regards,
Anju Lashkari, RN, C-PNP
Health Educator/School Nurse
Best regards,
Anju Lashkari, RN, C-PNP
Health Educator/School Nurse
