From the Nurse's Desk
Mrs. Linda Garrett
Click on the following links to print out school health forms.
Medication Administration Permission Form
Self-Administration of Medication for Students with Asthma or Other Potentially Life-
No cases of swine influenza (H1N1), known as swine flu, have been detected in New Jersey as of April 26, 2009. However, this is a rapidly evolving situation. As more information becomes available and the situation unfolds, guidance is likely to change in the upcoming days and weeks. It is important for people to stay informed by monitoring information provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS).
Guidance for School and Childcare Settings
At this time, New Jersey recommends that schools and childcare settings
increase education on respiratory hygiene and monitor attendees for acute
febrile respiratory illness.
Staff and children (as developmentally appropriate) should all be taught and
asked to follow these steps that prevent the transmission of infections such as
influenza:
§ Cover your coughs and sneezes.
§ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
§ Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
§ Stay home if you’re sick, especially with a fever.
School or childcare participants with acute febrile respiratory illness, regardless of travel history, should be sent home according to facilities-established procedures with instructions to stay at home until 24-48 hours after their symptoms resolve. Instructions should be given to seek medical care with worsening of symptoms. At this time, exclusion is not recommended for school or childcare participants who have recently traveled to an affected area and who do not have symptoms.
Disease Reporting and Consultation
To report suspected cases of swine influenza or outbreaks of influenza like illness, please contact the local health department in the jurisdiction in which the school is located.
We are interested in testing individuals presenting with influenza-like illness (fever, cough, sore throat), mild respiratory illness (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea) with or without fever, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, headache, chills, fatigue, dyspnea and conjunctivitis.
Has had at least one potential exposure within 10 days of symptom onset as listed below:
A.) History of travel to an area where swine influenza H1N1 documented in animals and/or humans (see http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm ); OR
B.) Close contact (within 6 feet) to an ill patient who was confirmed or suspected to have swine influenza; OR
C.) Close contact (within 6 feet) to an ill patient who has traveled to one of the areas above; OR
D.) Recent exposure to pigs; OR
E.) Works with live influenza virus in a laboratory.
For More Information :
U.S. CDC Swine Influenza Website:
Infection control and treatment guidance:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/recommendations.htm
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/swine-flu-2009.shtml
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
http://www.state.nj.us/health/
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According to the CDC, cases of H1N1 have been declining and seasonal flu is stable. But we can’t let down our guard! Please keep reinforcing good hygiene with our children: handwashing, sneezing and coughing into the elbow, not putting things into mouth/nose/eyes, etc. For updates on both H1N1 and seasonal flu, go to www.cdc.gov.
HEALTH
For January and the beginning of February, we’re talking about emotions and stress and how it affects our bodies. We’re also exploring healthy ways to express our emotions and to cope with stress.
FREE DENTAL CARE
Just a reminder….The NJ Dental Assn. has a day of free dental care on Friday, February 5. AN APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY. Below are the participating sites. Please call for an appointment. If you make an appointment, let me know and I’ll give you a consent form to complete prior to your appointment. Fur further information, their website is: www.njda.org/gkas and the phone number 888-576-9278.
Camden County College, Blackwood-856-227-7200 x4631
Cam Care, Camden – 856-963-8768
Cam Care, Camden – 856-635-0307
Cam Care, Camden – 856-602-4012
CamCare, Clementon – 856-627-7701
Lakeside Dental, Sicklerville – 856-740-1110
UMDNJ, Somerdale – 856-566-6969
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
In this cold weather, it’s important that your child come to school dressed in ‘cold weather gear’, including hats and gloves. Also, I get many little visitors with chapped lips asking for Vaseline. It’s a good idea to apply a layer of Vaseline or a chapstick to the lips at bedtime (after tooth brushing!) to give the lips a chance to heal.
‘CLEANING FOR A REASON’
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning one time per month for four months while in treatment. The website is www.cleaningforareason.org to check for participating services.
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
If you would like your child to have his/her medication in school, please call me and I will send the appropriate forms home with your child. The form(s) require your signature and the prescribing physician’s signature.
FDA Website
The FDA has a really comprehensive (and reliable) health website at www.everydayhealth.org. There’s information on general health and food and fitness. There’s also a symptom checker and links for further information.
REMINDER
If you have any change in phone numbers, address, or health and immunization status, please let me know so your child’s record can be up to date. And it’s vital to keep emergency phone contacts up to date in case of illness or emergency.