Monday, September 22, 2003
By LARRY GIERER
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Go ahead, put away that coin you flip to decide whether your child should stay home from school and you should call in sick to work. Here are some ways to keep your kids healthy -- and to know when to keep them home.
The first year is the sickest.
"After that," Joy Taylor says, laughing, "teachers kind of become immune, you know, just like doctors."
But that doesn't mean the fourth-grade instructor at Georgetown Elementary in Columbus isn't frustrated when she sees ailing children in her class she knows should be home.
"Parents send us kids with ringworm, lice, bad colds. Just all kinds of contagious things. They don't want to stay at home from work. But being ill at school isn't a healthy situation for their child or anyone else's."
As the new school year begins, it's time to take a look at what can be done to keep everyone's children safe.
What to do now
"There are several simple things that parents can do," says Darlene Shirley, the lead nurse for the Muscogee County (Ga.) School District. She oversees six nurses and 54 clinic workers.
"First of all, teach children to wash their hands often. Our hands are the No. 1 way that germs are spread.
This hand washing must be emphasized at home.
"Second, tell your children not to drink from someone else's cup, use someone else's brush and so on.
"Third, if a child has any fever at all -- don't come to school. Fever is an indicator of many kinds of illness. Some parents send an ill child to school thinking the child will feel better once there. They usually don't. Once we have them, we like to keep them for the whole day."
And that day starts early.
"I know that for quite awhile it will still be bright out at 9 at night," says Phyllis Jones, an elementary school principal in Columbus, "but students need to get plenty of rest. It's also time to cut back on all the sweets and junk food kids tend to eat during the summer and get them some healthy meals."
"Especially," adds Taylor, "a good breakfast."
"We're seeing more cases of Type 2 Diabetes in young children than ever before," says Shirley. "People used to be in their 40s before we saw that. We're seeing more high cholesterol, too."
Talk to teachers
Many children have chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, seizures or allergies.
"Parents need to sit down with teachers, the principal, nurse or clinic worker as early as registration and let them know about the child's condition and needs," Shirley says.
"Give warning signs the teacher can look for if something is going wrong. Let them know what medications the child must take and when. If there is a special diet, things a child must not eat, let them know. If a diabetic child must have snacks, let them know."
Schools won't give out any medication to a pupil without a proper medical release form.
"Not even an aspirin for a headache," says Shirley. "If a student suffers from a lot of headaches, the school needs to be informed and supplied with the painkillers. All medications kept at the school need to be in an original bottle -- the pharmacist will supply two, one for home and school -- which has the medicine's name and code along with the name of the doctor and pharmacist."
Asthma is a growing problem, and pupils may carry inhalers with them. "They should have a spare inhaler kept in the office," says Shirley. "Be sure children who do have them know the proper usage."
"I wish we could have a nurse full-time," says Jones, "but I'm thankful to have a clinic worker like Jarian Ambrose, who does a wonderful job." Clinic workers don't stay at school all day, so the more you can tell the school about your child's health, the better.
Get those shots
Before beginning school, pupils should have vaccinations for hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and chicken pox, as well as getting hearing, vision and dental screenings.
Although Taylor may laugh about teachers' being immune to childhood diseases, she knows there is danger for teachers, as well as pupils. And some dangers can't be stopped by shots, so parents should remain vigilant.
For example, Fifth's, a little-heard-about disease, is one that can cause damage to the fetus of pregnant teachers and school workers.
"Parents should learn the warning signs of childhood diseases," says Shirley. "If a child is displaying any symptoms, they shouldn't hesitate to make a trip to the doctor. The school district's job is to educate the county's children. A child can't learn if sick."
Teach them well
When it comes to your child's health, you should lead by example. Here are some things you should do:
U Teach children to wash hands often, since germs are passed by the hands.
U Teach them never to drink from someone else's cups or use someone else's brush.
U Show them how to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
U Keep them home from school when they have a fever.
U Feed them healthy meals and remember that they need a good breakfast.
U Make sure they get plenty of sleep.
U Fill out child health forms thoroughly.
U Send plenty of medication to school in the original bottle.
U Make sure they're fully immunized.
U Make sure they dress for the weather.
U Learn warning signs of childhood diseases and contact physician quickly if you see anything suspicious.
Contagious six
Fifth's disease: Spread by exposure to secretions or droplets from the nose. Symptoms start with a low-grade fever and fatigue. The person is most contagious one week before an itchy red rash appears. Can endanger unborn babies.
Conjunctivitis (pinkeye): An inflammation of the membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelid. May be transmitted by unclean hands or towels. Symptoms include itching, redness, sensitivity to light and a swelling of the lids with discharge. Highly contagious.
Mononucelosis: The "kissing disease." Can be passed by coughing and sneezing. Initial symptoms are general lack of energy, loss of appetite, chills. After three days, swollen glands and sore throat.
Strep throat: Infection passed by coughing, sneezing or unclean hands. Symptoms include very sore throat, fever, body aches. The palate may have red speckles.
Ringworm: Fungus-caused infection. Symptom is a rash that may have a ring-shape with a raised edge. Spread by touching. Can be passed by sharing a brush.
Head lice: Parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Cause the head to itch. Scratching creates sores that lead to secondary infections. Spread by head-to-head contact and by sharing hats, combs, helmets, headphones.