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Annual Update from the Nurses. Preparing for the Flu. How the Flu Spreads. Germs spread mainly through coughs and sneezes Infections can be passed by a sick person who is not experiencing any symptoms. How to Protect Yourself. If you are sick, stay home from work, school, or outings.
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How the Flu Spreads Germs spread mainly through coughs and sneezes Infections can be passed by a sick person who is not experiencing any symptoms
How to Protect Yourself If you are sick, stay home from work, school, or outings. Practice cough and sneeze etiquette. When coughing and/or sneezing: Stay at least 3 feet away from other people Cover your mouth and nose with tissue, throw tissue away Use your upper sleeve if you do not have a tissue (not your hand) Always wash your hands right away afterward
Personal hygiene and keeping things clean are great ways to help yourself and others stay healthy. Washing hands is very important Disinfect shared objects and common areas Don’t share personal items Teach children healthy hygiene habits
Simple Hand Washing Steps Wet hands with warm water Lather up both hands with soap Scrub hands together for at least 20 seconds (for children, choose a song that last 20 seconds) Rinse hands thoroughly Dry hands completely Note: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can substitute for soap and water.
Get a Yearly Flu Shot! Helps protect against the flu for that season Get the shot early in the season – in October or November Recommended for people at high risk Adults 50 and older Children 6 – 23 months old People with long-term conditions (diabetes) Women who will be pregnant during flu season People with weakened immune systems (HIV) People living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities Side effects of a shot are usually mild A nasal spray vaccine may be available
Treatment for Seasonal Flu May Include: Staying home to avoid spreading it to others Taking antiviral medication & follow doctor’s orders Drinking lots of fluids Getting plenty of rest Taking fever reducer
Home Care for Others with the FLU Keep the person away from others Follow health-care provider instructions Give medications if prescribed and available Throw away used tissues immediately Wash or sanitize your hands often Avoid holding soiled laundry too closely
Stay Informed with Up-to-date Information Keep track of what is going on in your area and around the nation Media will work with authorities on current flu-related events Most reliable sources of information are public health authorities and the government Web sites: www.adph.org and www.pandemicflu.gov Local hotlines may be set up
Staphylococcus aureus • “Staph” • 30-50% of the population carries this bacteria on their bodies • “Staph” is generally harmless until it enters the body through a cut/wound • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus • Mutation & “Staph” bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics
MRSA looks like… • Pimple/Boil/Ingrown Hair/Spider Bite • Red, swollen, painful, and/or drainage • Abscesses can form • warmth around the infected site
How serious is MRSA? • The problem comes when antibiotics are not effective against MRSA & the person can get sick very quickly due to the rapid multiplication of the bacteria
At Risk Groups • Children • Susceptible because immune systems is not fully developed • Athletes • High contact sports inevitably bring about scrapes, cuts, & bruises • The common scrape/cut must receive prompt wound care to avoid potential infection
At Risk Groups Athletes are at a higher risk also due to • Athletic facilities are warm & humid (ideal place for bacteria to thrive) thus infections have a higher potential of leading to team outbreaks • Athletes’ immune system temporarily lowers after a hard workout
When to see the doctor • Prompt medical attention is needed for • Any skin wound that leads to a fever or develops a blister, boil, redness, or swelling • Unexplained fever, muscular pain, and/or fatigue
Treatment of MRSA • Physician prescribes antibiotics • Take medication exactly as prescribed • Do not share antibiotics with others • Do not save unfinished antibiotics to use at another time • Physician may drain/open the skin boil or abscess • Only the physician should perform this procedure, otherwise it may lead to secondary infections If other people you know or live with get the same infection, tell them to go to the physician
Treatment of MRSA • If severe infection may require hospitalization and strong antibiotics • These antibiotics typically have severe side effects and must be given directly into the vein
Prevention of MRSA • Hand washing with antibacterial soap & water for at least 20 seconds • Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently • Remind children to bathe/shower at least once day • Especially after workouts/contact with other children
More Prevention • Remind children to avoid sharing: • Towels, sports equipment, combs, razors, soap, brushes, combs, hair accessories, caps, clothing, lipstick, balms, moisturizers, sleeping bags, and other items that touch the skin • Wash any open wound with soap & water • Keep all wounds covered with a bandage that attaches to the skin on all sides
Guidelines for Teachers • All cleaners, deodorizers, washing powders, etc. that have not been approved and provided by the Pike County Board of Education must be removed from the classroom
All-in-One Cleaner • Spray Bottle • One in each classroom • EPA approved • Kills: • MRSA, Staph, Strep, Hepatitis, Flu, TB, etc.
Guidelines Continued • Clean desks, tables, chairs, counter tops, door knobs, faucet knobs, etc. with All-in-One Cleaner on a daily basis • Spray area, let solution soak for 10 minutes, and then wipe with a disposable paper towel • Gloves are not necessary for cleaning.
Guidelines Continued • If child is suspected of having infection, please refer child to nurse • If child has been released by his/her physician to attend school and child’s wound is covered by bandage (on all sides) then child is allowed to stay at school
Information Obtained From: • www.cdc.org • www.adph.org/epi • www.mrsaawareness.com • www.righthealth.com • www.mayoclinic.com
Signs/Symptoms of Attack: • Shortness of breath/wheezing • Persistent cough • Anxious look • Nasal flaring • Chest tightness/pain • Difficulty carrying on a conversation due to difficulty breathing • Shallow, rapid breathing • Blueness of fingernails and lips
What to Do?? • Administer inhaler/nebulizer machine as prescribed • -If administering 2 puffs, wait one minute between each puff • Sit student in upright position in cool area • Reassure student & attempt to keep him/her calm and breathe slowly and deeply • Student should respond to treatment in 15 minutes
If that doesn’t work… • *If no change or breathing becomes significantly worse, contact parent and call 911 immediately*
Signs/Symptoms: • An aura (a feeling that usually happens before a seizure, example: funny smell, nausea, and abdominal symptoms) • Blank staring • Chewing, fumbling, shaking, or confused speech • Active seizures
What to do? • Call 911. • Clear the surrounding area. • Assist the student to the floor and place in a side-lying position. • Protect the head. Do not place anything in the mouth. • Call Parent. • Start timing the seizure. Do not leave the child alone.
Epi-Pens • This medical condition could become life threatening and/or need immediate attention during the school day. • Anaphylaxis is a rare life-threatening allergy to certain substances such as foods, bee stings, chemicals, and/or medications. • It occurs rapidly and can close off the breathing passages. • If instant treatment does not occur, it can be fatal.
Signs and symptoms of this condition (rapid onset): • Hives spreading over the body (itching) • Dizziness/weakness • Feelings of apprehension • Wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or breathing • Swelling of face/neck, tingling or swelling of tongue • Signs of shock (extreme paleness/grey color, clammy skin) • Loss of consciousness
What to do in the event these signs and symptoms occur: • Administer Epi-Pen immediately • Pull off grey cap • Place black tip against upper outer thigh (at right angle to leg) • Press hard into outer thigh, until it clicks (may be administered through clothing) • Hold in place 10 seconds, and then remove • Discard Epi-Pen in impermeable can. Do not return to holder.
Continued… • Call 911 and notify operator that Epi-Pen has been used • Notify parents • Stay with student. Position child in the most comfortable position for breathing • Be prepared to initiate CPR if breathing stops.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) • Causes: too little food, too much insulin/diabetes medicine, or extra activity • Signs/Symptoms: shaking fast heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, anxious, hunger, impaired vision, weakness/fatigue, headache, irritable • Treatment: eat/drink juice per doctor’s orders • Can become an emergency if not treated promptly (seizures, coma, or death)
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) • Causes: too much food, too little insulin/diabetes medicine, illness, or stress • Signs/Symptoms: extreme thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, hunger, blurred vision, drowsiness, decreased healing • Treatment: drink water/exercise per doctor’s orders • Can lead to diabetic coma
Important things to remember regarding Diabetes • Child should always be allowed to check blood sugars when necessary • Child may have 504 plan • Student should always have a partner while not in classroom • Frequent bathroom breaks and snacks will be determined per doctor’s order/504 plan
AED • Call 911 • When to use an AED: • Unresponsive when shaken, and not breathing normally • If in doubt, apply the pads • If your victim is in water or on a metal surface then move the victim to a safe place
Choosing Correct AED Pads • Adult pads are for adults and children 8 years old or 55 pounds or more • Infant and children under 8 years old or up to 55 pounds
How to use the AED: • PULL up the green handle on the SMART Pads • PLACE the pads on the patient’s bare skin- as on picture on smart pads • Follow exact instructions given by the AED voice command • Start CPR if instructed- you can use the information button (blue button “ i”) it will give you detailed instructions on performing CPR