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January 2012:Here we go again, stomach viruses, respiratory flu, and pesky colds. Learn the difference between a cold and the flu.Cold and flu are two of the most widespread viral infections of the respiratory system, especially common during the winter season. Since some symptoms, such as sneezing, running or stuffy nose, watery eyes, sore throat, etc., may be common to both cold and flu, many people equate the two and don’t see the difference between a cold and flu. In fact, many a times the words ‘cold’ and ‘flu’ are used interchangeably in everyday language even though medically they are quite different. Here are the main differences between cold and flu:
?To begin with, cold is caused by one of the more than 200 strains of different cold viruses such as the rhinovirus, corona virus and the adenovirus, while flu is caused by one of the 3 strains of the influenza virus.?Cold is a much milder respiratory infection compared to flu and lasts much shorter than flu.?Cold affects only the upper respiratory system, while flu can affect both the upper and the lower respiratory systems.?Onset of cold is gradual, while flu onset is sudden.?The characteristic onset symptoms of cold are sneezing, sore throat, cough, running nose, nasal congestion, and watering eyes accompanied by mild fatigue but no or sometimes low-grade fever. On the other hand, the characteristic onset symptoms of flu are high fever (100–102 ?F) with severe muscle/body aches, severe exhaustion, feeling of chill, but not necessarily accompanied by cold symptoms like sneezing, stuffy/running nose, sore throat, etc. Some types of flu may also be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.?Headache is absent or occasional in cold, whereas headache is very frequent and prominent in flu.?Cold fizzles out in 3 or 4 days, maximum within a week, whereas flu can last for as long as 3 weeks even though symptoms may start receding after 5 days or so.?Cold allows you to go on with the daily activities in more or less the normal way, but flu leaves you bedridden for a couple of weeks and extremely weak and exhausted to do anything.?Chest discomfort and cough are mild in cold, but can become extremely severe in flu. Also the cough in cold is hacking and productive type (i.e., with phlegm), whereas the cough in flu is dry and nonproductive type.?Complications of cold are none, being limited to sinus congestion and earache, whereas complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, may call for hospitalization and can be life-threatening.?The most effective prevention measure for cold is good hygiene involving frequent washing of hands with warm water and soap, and avoiding close contact with people having cold. The best preventive measure for flu, along with good hygiene and avoiding contact with people suffering from flu, is an annual flu shot.?Cold goes away on its own, with measures taken only for relief from symptoms. Flu, on the other hand, is treated with antiviral drugs like Tamiflu or Relenza taken within 24–48 hours of onset.?Lastly, a cold can happen almost any time of the year, but flu is more of a seasonal infection, peaking during the months of November –March in the US.
January 19, 2012Help yourself to stay healthy this winter by following these guidelines:1. Get enough sleep every night. Make it a priority. Middle school age people still need 8-10 hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep weakens your immune system and decreases your ability to concentrate.2. Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Research has shown that exercise has the capacity to protect and even enhance the immune response. Experimental studies have shown that a regular exercise program of brisk walking can bolster many defenses of the immune system.3. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The antioxidants in these foods help maintain your immune system. Also, make sure to stay well hydrated in the winter months by drinking plenty of water.4. WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and warm water. WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, as soon as you come home from being in a public place, and after you blow your nose.
MOBILE DENTIST WILL BE AT NMS ON JANUARY 31!
Immunization laws were adjusted in January 2010. All students grades 6-12 must have 3 additional vaccinations. In coming sixth graders must have proof of up to date immunizations at the beginning of the school year.Second Chicken pox MenningitisTdap
February 2010:
Making sure that your child gets plenty of sleep (9-10 hours per night), a healthy breakfast, and daily exercise are all ways to keep your child healthy and performing well in school!
MOBILE DENTIST will be coming to Heritage Intermediate School on March 22, 2010. Mobile Dentist forms are coming home with students in February.
To help keep all of our students healthy, please keep your child home when he or she is sick. A fever over 100 is a definite sign that your child should not be at school. Medication like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) reduce fever. PLEASE make sure that your child is fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT fever reducing medicine before coming to school. Please do not send your child to school with vomiting or diarrhea. If your child is ill, please call our office to report the absence.
Super Shot Saturday is April 24, 2010 at Orchard View Elementary from 9am-noon. This is a great time to update your child's immunizations. PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS GOING IN TO GRADE 6 WILL REQUIRE A 2ND CHICKEN POX VACCINE, A Tdap BOOSTER, AND A MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE BEFORE THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR!
Here are some additional reminders:
1. If your child will be taking prescription medicine at school, please have your doctor sign a form authorizing the school to administer the medicine. THIS INCLUDES INHALERS! If your child will be carrying an inhaler or keeping an inhaler in the clinic, the school must have a note from the doctor indicating this.
2. If your child receives immunizations, please send proof of the immunization for the school so that we may update your child's records.
May 2009
The end of the school year is fast approaching! As the year wraps up, please continue to ensure that your children are getting adequate sleep. Also, the temperatures are getting warmer but sometimes it is still chilly when the kids go out for morning recess. Please remember to send a sweatshirt in with your child.
A few end of the year reminders:
If you have prescription or any over-the-counter medications that you have sent in to school, please make sure to pick it up by the last day of school.
If your child has borrowed any clothing from the nurse this year, please send it back so that other children may borrow them too
Have a wonderful summer!
JaNeille ClemensJES Nurse
January '09
Christmas is over and it's back to school. We have been learning about nutrition and how important it is to make healthy choices. Our Coordinated School Health Program has several projects coming up to get the whole family involved in learning about nutrition.
In February, our 2nd graders will be planning healthy menus - and each class will have its featured menu served in the cafeteria sometime the following month.In March and April, we start our Family Healthy Recipe contest - look for some of our winners to be posted on the MES web site.During the month of May, we will have some of our local community groups share a favorite healthy recipe and have lunch with the students. There are so many fun activities that can help us learn. Go to our local library, do an internet search, or ask your child's teacher or nurse for some extra information on nutrition - it's so helpful for parents to reinforce the healthy message we are trying to teach at school. Let's all get healthy together!
September 2011Here we are again, another school year has gotten off to a flying start! We've already seen some strep throat and some stomach flu! Remember that good handwashing is the BEST way to prevent illness.I will be visiting the kindergarten and first grade classes in October to talk about nose blowing and handwashing. I will be teaching your children to cough and sneeze into their elbows to help prevent the passing along of germs from their hands.Next week I will be screening vision for grades 1 and 3, along with heights and weights of all the children in grades 1-3. Mrs. Rahn will be screening the hearing of all 1st graders and any child new to our school system. If you have any questions about this, please call me at 822-5288. You will recieve a paper saying your child's screening was fine or if he/she may need to be seen by an optometrist.A couple of our local optometrists will be here on Sept. 27 to screen all our 1st graders more in depth. They do this on their own time and we greatly appreciate them!Looking ahead, the Mobile Dentist will be here on Jan. 31 to do exams, xrays and sealants. Watch for forms to come home in December or early Jan.Let's have a healthy year! Encourage your child to eat breakfast, get enough sleep and plenty of fresh air and exercise. Be an example to them in how you care for yourself!Again, if you ever have a question about your child's health, please call me at the number listed above.Jane Oyer, RN, BSNOrchard View Elem School
August 18, 2011We are excited to start another year at YORK!!! Some things we have scheduled:
Mobile DDS will be here October 14, 2011. Forms will be coming home the first week of September. American Red Cross Blood Drive is March 26, 2012 from 2:00-6:00 pm. More information will come home in February.
All school Height and weights will be done in September.On the same day we will be doing Vision screenings on the first and third grades & Hearing screening on first graders.
In September I will be visiting each class and teaching or reviewing proper hand washing techniques and "Sneezing and Coughing in your sleeve". This is in preparation for the FLU Season that will be coming. Please be a good example at home and wash your hands frequently and sneeze/cough into your sleeve.
FYI from the State of Indiana:
The "stomach flu" is not actually influenza. Viral gastroenteritis or "stomach flu" is not actually flu at all. It is a viral infection of the intestinal. It is spread through eating or drinking contaminated food/drink or by close contact with an infected person.
Influenza vaccinations do NOT protect against viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Prevention includes frequent hand washing, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, promptly washing soiled clothing and avoid preparing food if ill with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting.
The "flu" is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza is spread by respiratory droplets from close contact with infected persons or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Infection can occur when influenza viruses contact the eyes, mouth, or nose and possibly through inhaling droplets from a sneeze or cough. Sometimes people may become infected by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with influenza viruses and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose.
The best defense against influenza is to get vaccinated. In addition frequent and thorough hand washing should be practiced and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. When possible, stay away from known infected persons.
Viral Gastroenteritis ("stomach flu") - abdominal cramps - vomiting - watery diarrhea - fever (usually slight) - headache - fatigue
Influenza ("the flu") - fever 101 degrees F or greater - headache - fatigue - cough - muscle aches - sore throat