CLINIC NEWSLETTER
2009-2010

Kim Gray, RN     

WELCOME BACK   to a new school year!  Hopefully every one has returned healthy, happy and well rested!  If your child has pertinent health issues be sure and inform each of their teachers and the clinic right away if you haven’t already done so. 

MEDICATIONS

Prescription Medication requires the Permission to Dispense Medication Form which must be signed by both the Doctor and parent.  Medicine must be in the currently filled bottle with the prescription label and date clearly visible.  This includes short term antibiotics, eye-drops, etc.
Over-the-counter medicine requires the same form as prescription medicine and must be signed by the parent.  We can only dispense medication as directed by the label.  A Doctor’s signature is necessary only if you request a dose be given that conflicts with the medication label.  Medication must be in its original box or container.  We cannot accept pills sent in baggies.  
Acetaminophen and generic Benadryl forms are available in the clinic at your request.  This form allows for occasional use of acetaminophen for pain or fever (until the child can be picked up). 

MANDATORY VACCINE FOR 6TH GRADE ! 
Virginia law requires all children to receive a Tdap booster prior to entering 6th grade if at least 5 years have passed since a Tetanus containing shot was given.  The vaccine contains tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).  The state mandates that no child can attend their first day in sixth grade until this shot is given, or a medical/religious exemption is submitted. The Bedford Health Dept. (586-7952) supplies the vaccine free and stocks the appropriate brands for both 10 and 11 year olds. Your child may receive their class schedule as soon as the proper documentation is submitted to the school. 

STATE REQUIRED HEALTH SCREENINGS   will begin by the second week of school.  Children in 7th grade will receive a vision, hearing, scoliosis, height /weight and BMI check.  Children that transfer to any grade from another state or private/home school are screened as well.  You will be notified of any abnormal findings.  If you wish to opt your child out of the screenings please provide us a note as soon as possible, 

FLU NEWS Flu season is approaching!  We will be monitoring for the seasonal flu and H1N1 (Swine) flu viruses this year.  Both strains are spread through respiratory droplets by coughing or sneezing or by touching contaminated surfaces and the rubbing your mouth or nose.  To help prevent getting the illness, obtain the recommended seasonal flu shot this fall.  Keep informed from reliable sources and follow recommendations should H1N1 vaccines be available and advised.  Practice good and frequent hand washing and be sure to cover your cough and sneeze.  We recommend the “sneeze in your sleeve” or elbow rule at school!  Avoid being around sick people and stay home if you are ill.
Check these two web sites for more information:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/  http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

• Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) November 2007

What is MRSA?

Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) is a common type of bacterium (germ) that is often found on the
skin and in the nose of healthy people. It can also grow in wounds or other sites in the body,
sometimes causing an infection.

Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections caused by germs. Sometimes germs can change
so that particular drugs will no longer kill the germs - these germs are called antibiotic
resistant. Over time staph bacteria have become difficult to treat with antibiotics related to
penicillin (e.g., methicillin, amoxicillin). These resistant forms of staph are called methicillinresistant
Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. But the illnesses that MRSA causes are similar to
those caused by other staph.

Who is at risk for getting these organisms?

Just like normal staph bacteria, MRSA normally does not cause disease unless it enters an
opening in the skin. However, some people are at higher risk for carrying MRSA or becoming
infected with this type of staph. MRSA more often occurs in people in hospitals and healthcare
facilities. It can also occur outside the hospital in people who receive multiple antibiotics, as well
as in people who have close contact with a person carrying the germ or by touching objects
contaminated with MRSA (e.g., towels, athletic equipment, sauna benches, bandages, etc.).

How are MRSA and other staph spread?

Staph bacteria (including MRSA) are most often spread by direct person-to-person contact,
usually on hands. Staph can survive in the environment for long periods of time, but
environmental surfaces probably do not have a major role in transmission. Staph very rarely
spreads through the air.

What are the symptoms of infection?

Many people carry staph bacteria on their skin without any symptoms. Symptoms of a MRSA or
other staph infection depend on where the infection is located. Infections of the skin are the most
common, and can cause redness, warmth, pus, and a wound that does not heal. Your doctor may
refer to these infections as cellulitis, boils, furuncles, pustules, folliculitis, impetigo, or abscesses.
Infections can also develop in the blood, bone, bladder, lungs, and other sites. Symptoms there
will depend on the site of infection, but include fever and pain at the site of infection.

What should I do if I think I have a MRSA or other staph infection?

See your healthcare provider.

Are MRSA and other staph infections treatable?

Yes. Many staph skin infections can be treated simply by draining the sore and keeping the
wound clean. For more serious infections, antibiotics (that are not related to penicillin) can be
used. If antibiotics are prescribed by your healthcare provider, it is very important to finish
taking all the pills and to call your doctor if the infection does not get better.


What can I do to prevent MRSA and other staph infections?

•
Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (if hands
are not visibly soiled) to keep them clean.
•
Keep cuts/wounds clean and covered; watch for signs of infection, such as redness,
warmth, and swelling.
•
Clean your hands thoroughly after changing bandages. Put used bandages in the trash.
•
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sports equipment, razors, etc.
•
If a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain, or isn’t healing, see a doctor.
•
If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills, even if you feel better before they are all gone.
•
Don’t insist on antibiotics for treating colds or other virus infections.
November 2007

HEALTHY TIPS

Practice Good Habits: 

• Teenagers tend to forget that they can get sick!  Hand washing is as important in middle school as always.   Please reinforce good and frequent hand washing at home and remind your child to wash their hands often when at school especially after sneezing or coughing into them, before lunch and after all restroom trips.
• Remind your child to keep their hands off the face, not to rub their eyes (especially when they have a cold) and to not pick at pimples!
• Remind your child to use tissues and to cover a cough or sneeze.  We encourage the “sneeze in your sleeve” or elbow rule at school.
• Teach your child not to share drink cups and straws.
• Middle school is a time for rapid growth.  Make sure your child eats breakfast every day before school.   Stress good nutrition and lot’s of fun physical activity at home.  
• Ensure that your child gets to bed early enough to have 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

(That probably means no cell phone in bed!)

• Remind your child not to share hairbrushes, combs, hats, hairbands, etc. It would be wise to purchase a small personal travel pillow for them to take to sleepovers.
• Adolescents still need yearly physicals.  Please ask their physician to check them for scoliosis once a year during a check-up or sick visit.

Guidelines For When To Keep Your Child Home From School:

• Your child should stay home when they have a fever or has had one in the past 24 hours.  We require they go home for a fever of 100 degrees or more. 
• Please keep them home if they have diarrhea/vomiting with or without a fever.
• If your child has a very sore throat and /or if their throat looks red with swollen tonsils white patchy spots, lesions and pus keep them home. See a Doctor if symptoms are accompanied by a fever or persist over 24 hours...
• Keep them home if their eye is pink, itchy or has crusty drainage and see a Doctor.
• Children with a rash that covers much of their body, looks suspicious or that cannot be easily identified may be excluded from school.  The child may return when the rash is gone or with a Doctor’s note stating the rash is not contagious.
• A sore that is very red, hot to touch or draining pus needs to be evaluated by a Doctor especially if there is a fever.  Any open or draining sore must be covered completely at school.
• Children cannot attend school with the presence of head lice or nits.  Bedford County Schools enforce a no-nits policy.

** Children who visit the clinic are required to bring a clinic pass or their agenda with a teacher’s signature.  This is for safety and accountability reasons.
You may contact the clinic (540-297-4152) for any questions or concerns!