| Nurse Information | Questions &Answers Section |
Common Illness |
Contact Information |
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| Other Important Information Concerning Health and Questions | ||||
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Pink Eye & DISD Policy |
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Mrs. Gail Tackett, RN Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Clinic hours: 7:15 Am-11:00 Am and 12:44 pm-2:45 pm
Special Announcements
Hearing and Vision Screenings are done every Wednesday. Immunization clinics are scheduled on a monthly basis.
Q: When is the flu season?
A: Usually October through February, but it has been starting later and lasting later for the past several years.
Q: When can we get flu shots?
A: Listen to the news, you will know when flu shots become available. you will have to go to your Doctor, Pharmacy, etc.
Q: How much are the shots?
A: Cost varies depending on where you get it
Q: Can anyone get flu shots?
A: Anyone who is not allergic to eggs or a short list of other allergies.
Q: How can I get a record of my shots?
A: a shot record can be requested from the nurse at anytime.
Q: What types of medications can a student get from the nurse?
A: Tylenol, Tums, and throat spray are the most common medications given by the nurse.
Q: What are cut-off times for getting these medications?
A: Tylenol is not given until after 10 am, but there is no cut off time.
Q: What types of medications are students allowed to carry with them throughout the day?
A: cough drops only! students with Asthma who have a signed parents permission form and a doctor's order in the clinic may carry their inhaler with them.
Q: If a student has prescription medication, what is the process that he/she must go through to get that medication during the day?
A: The clinic opens at 7:15 am for students to drop off medications. the student is then instructed what time to come back to take their medication.
Q: Are there days scheduled for vaccinated updates for things such as polio, chicken pox, etc?
A: immunization clinics for state required vaccinations, i.e., Tetanus Booster, Polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, and Chicken Pox (Vermicelli), are held each month. These immunizations are provided by the State of Texas and are free.
Common Illness: Information acquired from, www.mayoclinic.com.
What is the Flu?What is a cold?
What are Allergies?
What are
head lice?
Lice
develops on your scalp. they're easiest to see at the nape of your neck and over
your ears. small eggs (nits) produced by lice attach to your hair shafts. the
eggs hatch in about one week, resulting in more lice.
What are body lice?
these
lice spend most of their time in the seams and folds of your clothing. body lice
are often spread by direct contact with infected clothing or bedding or with an
infected person. in rare cases, body lice may carry diseases.
What are pubic lice?
commonly called crabs, these lice occur on the skin and hair of your pubic area
and on eyelashes. sexual contact or contact with infected clothing, bedding or
even toilet seats can spread pubic lice.
What are some signs and symptoms?
intense
itching, lice on the scalp, the body, clothing, or pubic or other, body hair,
lice can be up to 1/8 inches in size, lice eggs on hair shafts, nits resemble
tiny pussy willow buds. nits can be mistaken for dandruff, but unlike dandruff,
they can't be easily brushed out of hair. small red bumps on the scalp, neck and
shoulders.
What are some causes?
head-to-head or body-to-body contact: this may occur
as children or family members play or interact closely together. close proximity
of stored belongings: string clothing next to each other in closets, lockers, or
on side-by-side hooks at school, or storing personal items such as pillows,
blankets, combs and stuffed toys in close proximity at home can permit lice to
spread. sharing items: these may include clothing, headphones, brushes, combs,
hair decorations, towels, blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. contact with
contaminated furniture: lying on a bed, sitting in furniture or even using a
toilet seat recently used by someone infected with lice can spread them. head
lice live for up to two days off the body.
When do I seek medical help?
usually you can get rid of lice by taking self-care steps that include using
nonprescription shampoo that's specifically formulated to kill lice. however, if
nonprescription shampoo doesn't kill the lice, see your doctor. your doctor can
prescribe a stronger, prescription shampoo. if you're pregnant, don't use any
anti-lice shampoo until after talking to your doctor. the scratching that
results from lice can sometimes produce hives or skin abrasions. if these become
infected, see your doctor.
What are the treatments?
nonprescription lotion or shampoo,
or a prescription shampoo or lotion. another type of prescription treatment for
lice contains the medication lindane. your doctor may not recommend using
Lindane for people who weigh less than 110 pounds, have used it in the past few
months or for women who are breast-feeding. side effects may include skin
irritation and seizures.
What are some preventions?
it is difficult to prevent the
spread of head lice among children in day care and in school settings. there's
so much close contact among children and their belongings that lice can spread
easily. it's no reflection on your hygiene habits or those of your
children, and its not a failure on your part as a parent if your child gets head
lice. the best approach is simply to take thorough steps to get rid of the lice-
and their eggs- so that you don't have more lice to deal with. you can ask your
child not to share hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes, hair decorations and
other personal belongings at school. but its not realistic to expect that you
and your child can eliminate all types of contact that may result in the spread
of lice.
What can I do to care for myself?
use lotions and shampoos, after shampoo treatment,
rinse your hair with vinegar, comb wet hair, wash contaminated items, seal
un-washable items, vacuum, cover furniture, wash combs and brushes.
What is Strep Throat?
A bacteria that causes a sore, scratchy throat.
What are some signs and symptoms?
Throat pain, difficulty swallowing, red and
swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus, swollen, tender
lymph glands (nodes) in your neck, fever, headache, rash, stomachache and
sometimes vomiting, especially in younger children.
What causes Strep Throat?
The cause of strep throat is bacteria known as
Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. streptococcal
bacteria are highly contagious. they can spread through airborne droplets when
someone with the infection coughs or sneezes.
What are some risk factors?
Strep throat occurs most commonly in children
between the ages of 5 and 15. while it can occur at any time of the year, strep
throat seems to circulate in the late fall, winter and as early as spring. strep
bacteria flourish wherever groups of people are in close contact.
When do i seek medical help?
when you have a sore throat without a cold or
runny nose, a sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands, a sore
throat that last longer than 48 hours, a fever that is higher than 103 F in
older children, or any fever lasting longer than 48 hours, rash, joint pain,
problems breathing or difficulty swallowing anything, including saliva. call
your doctor if you or your child doesn't feel better after taking antibiotics
for 24 to 48 hours.
How does the doctor check for Strep
throat?
doctors usually diagnose the cause of a sore
throat on the basis of a physical exam and lab test including: throat culture
which is a sterile swab which is rubbed over the back of the throat and tonsils
to get a sample of the secretions. its not a painful procedure but it may cause
brief gagging. A rapid antigen test may also be used. This test can detect strep
bacteria in minutes by looking for foreign substances in the throat. Rapid DNA
test can also be used. These tests are as accurate as throat cultures and the
results are available sooner.
What are some complications?
Although strep throat itself isn't dangerous, it
can lead up to some serious complications if left untreated such as: tonsillitis
or a collection of pus around the tonsils caused by infection, sinus infection,
ear infection, scarlet fever, an illness characterized by a rash, strep throat
may also lead to inflammation of the kidney and rheumatic fever.
How can I treat Strep Throat?
Your doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic
such as penicillin, amoxicillin, azithromycin, clarithomycin, clindamycin, or a
brand of cephalosporin. penicillin may be given by injection in some cases.
How can I prevent Strep Throat?
By cleaning properly like washing your hands, or
covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, don't share drinking glasses or
eating utensils, wash those items carefully in hot soapy water, or in a
dishwasher.
What are some self-care tips?
Get plenty of rest: sleep helps your body fight
infection. Drink Plenty of water: keeping a sore throat lubricated and moist
eases swallowing. Eat soothing foods: foods that are easy on a sore throat
include broths, soups, applesauce, cooked cereal, mashed potatoes, soft fruits,
yogurt, and soft-cooked eggs. Gargle with warm salt water: for older children
and adults gargling several times a day can help relieve throat pain. mix 1/4
teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounce of warm water. Use a humidifier: adding
moisture to the air can help ease discomfort. moisture keeps mucous membranes in
your throat from becoming dry and even more irritated. Stay away from irritants:
cigarette smoke can irritate a sore throat and increase the likelihood of
infections such as tonsillitis, avoid fumes from paint or cleaning products.
Plan low-key activities for a sick child: if your child test positive for strep
throat, he or she should take antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning
to school or child care.
What are chicken pox?
chicken pox is caused by a virus called
Varicella zoster. people who get this virus often develop a rash of spots that
look like blisters all over their bodies. the blisters are small and sit on an
area of red skin that can be anywhere from the size of a pencil eraser to the
size of a dime.
What happens when you have chickenpox?
chickenpox may start out seeming like a cold:
you might have a runny or stuff nose, sneezing and a cough. but later the rash
begins and often in bunches of spots on the chest and face. Once is begins it
can spread out quickly over the entire body, sometimes including a person's ears
and mouth. some people end up lucky and only have a few bumps but others who
aren't as lucky get covered from head to toe.
How do chicken pox spread?
They are very contagious which means that
someone who has it can easily give it to somebody else. Somebody that has
chicken pox is most contagious during the first 2-5 days. Usually about 1-2 days
before the rash shows up, which means you could have spread it without even
knowing it.
How can I reduce the itching?
keep cool because heat and sweat will cause you
to itch more. you might want to put a wet cool washcloth on the really bad area.
trim your fingernails, so if you scratch, they wont tear the skin. soak in a
Luke-warm bath, add some oatmeal to you water. Put some calamine lotion where it
itches. Don't take aspirins because it can cause a rare but serious illness in
kids called Reye syndrome. or you can get a shot to avoid the spots.
What is a bed bug?
a bedbug is a small, flat, reddish-brown bug
that can be found in homes all over the world.
What do they feel like?
if you think you were bitten by a bedbug, the
bite will feel itchy.
What do I do if I have been bitten by one?
if you think that you have been bitten by a
bedbug, wash the bites with soap and water. apply some calamine lotion to help
stop the itching. try not to scratch the bites because this can cause them to
become infected.
How do i prevent from getting bit?
Clean your room and wash your sheets once a
week, and vacuum your floor often.
What kind of bee stings or bites can I get?
Honeybees- they are light golden brown,
and their bodies are covered with fuzz.
Wasp- they are reddish-brown and have
skinny bodies, and they often make nest under the porches of buildings.
Bald-faced hornets- are black with white
markings
Fire ants- are tiny and reddish-brown
Yellow jackets- have yellow and black
stripes on their bodies and are smaller than wasps, hornets, and honeybees.
What does a bee sing feel and look like?
honeybees, wasps, hornets, fire ants, and yellow
jackets may look different, but they all sting when they are mad. if you are
stung by any of these bugs, the sting will feel like a shot that the doctor
would give you. the site of the sting will feel hot, and it may itch, you will
get a red bump surrounded by the white skin will develop around the sting,
except for a fire ant.
What should I do?
If you think you have been stung tell an
adult immediately. some people are allergic to stings. they symptoms of an
allergic reaction include hives, nausea, dizziness, and a tight feeling in the
throat, if this happens the person needs medical attention right way. but for
those of you who are not allergic you can do these steps: 1. have an adult help
you remove the stinger, if one is left behind ( it is best to use a credit card
to scrape it away.) 2. wash the area with soap and water. 3. apply some ice to
the area.
What would my doctor do?
if a doctor decides that a bee sting is very
swollen and itchy, he or she may give a medicine that controls the swelling and
relieves the itching. if you are allergic to a bee sting, it is necessary for a
doctor to see this person immediately to give them a shot that fights the
reaction.
How can I avoid from getting stung?
the best way to avoid from getting stung is to
stay away from the places they like to spend their time.
What causes Belly pains:
Constipation- one of the most common
reasons for abdominal pain.
Diarrhea- is often caused by
gastroenteritis, an infection that some people call the stomach flu.
Vomiting-felling sick to your stomach and
throwing up can also be linked to gastroenteritis. the pain is one way your body
tells you to stay near a bathroom!
Food- some kids get abdominal pain
because they ate too much of something, because they ate a food that was to
spicy or greasy, because they have an allergy to what they ate, or because the
food was sitting around in the fridge too long and went bad.
An infection someplace else- if you have
an infection somewhere else in your body, you may get stomach pains also.
Appendicitis or other painful problems-
if the pain starts near you belly button and moves to the lower right side of
your stomach you may have appendicitis. Fever or throwing up along with a pain
that gets worse and worse and a loss of appetite, can also contribute to
appendicitis.
Stress- a numerous amount of kids have a
nervous stomach when they are stressed out of are worried about something.
How can I prevent from getting a stomach
ache?
Don't overeat, eat fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, so you bowel
movements are regular, wash your hands before eating, don't eat right before
bedtime, get lots of sleep so your body doesn't get run down.
What is pink eye?
It is the most common eye problem kids get
today. The conjunctiva is the thin, clear membrane over the white part of
the eye; it also lines the eyelids. Inflammation of the membrane is called
conjunctivitis.
What are some signs and symptoms?
The most obvious symptom of conjunctivitis is a
pink eye. the pink or red color is due to inflammation.
What causes pink eye?
It sometimes is triggered by a virus, bacteria,
an allergic reaction (dust, pollen, smoke, fumes and chemicals) or in some cases
of giant papillary conjunctivitis, a foreign body of the eye, typically a
contact lens. Bacterial and viral systemic infections also may induce
conjunctivitis.
How can I get rid of pink eye?
To get rid of pink eye, you must see your
doctor to get a prescription antibiotic eye drops. Dayton ISD policy
states the drops must be used for 24 hours before the student can return to
school and must bring a Dr. release when the student returns to school.
To avoid pink eye you should wash your hands frequently, and avoid
touching or rubbing your eyes. Don't share washcloths, towels, or pillowcases
with anyone else, and wash these items after each use. Don't share eye drops or
cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow or mascara. Replace them after you're
healed to avoid re-infection. It is unlikely that you'd spread pink eye just by
kissing someone! but keep it in mind that having your eyes close to someone
else's increases the chance of you getting it. Your eye care practitioner may
recommend that you discontinue contact lens wearing during this time or replace
your contact lenses after you're healed. warm compresses may help soothe your
eyes if you have viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.
For more information please contact the nurse at:
936-258-2510 ext. 4130
e-mail: gtackett@daytonisd.net
Created by: Katlynn Stanley &
Brian Chowns
October 19, 2006
