Lynnfield School Nurses

Winter Health & Safety Update 2022/23

Greetings, Lynnfield families. It has been a pleasure having all of your students back with us these past couple of months. We are all enjoying being in our new buildings/roles and getting to know your students has been one of the highlights. The health and wellness of your students are always our top priority and we appreciate your partnership in meeting their health needs. With the winter months upon us, not only are we heading into the holiday season, but we are also heading full force into the cold/virus season. We are already seeing significant respiratory illnesses making their way through our school buildings. Below you will find information about the most common viral illness that we are encountering and how to help keep yourself and your family well. Please remember that if your student is sick, we ask that you keep them home per our LPS Guidelines for Illness. We look forward to continuing to work with all of our families to keep our buildings safe and healthy.

Flu & RSV

Flu & RSV season is upon us! Please see below for some guidelines and reminders from your LPS nurses to keep you and your families safe and healthy this winter.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness and is caused by influenza viruses which can lead to mild to severe illness. It is best prevented by getting a flu vaccine every year.

Please see below for signs and symptoms of flu…

Symptoms to look out for with influenza:

Fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone with flu will have a fever)
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (feeling very tired)
Vomiting and diarrhea – more common in children than adults

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is another common respiratory virus that presents with mild, cold-like symptoms. Most healthy individuals will recover from RSV in 1-2 weeks, but it can lead to more serious illness for others, especially children under the age of 5 and older adults. RSV symptoms typically appear in individuals 2-8 days after initial exposure to the virus.

Please see below for signs and symptoms of RSV…

Symptoms to look out for with RSV:

Runny nose
Decrease in appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing

When to seek emergency care (for either illness):

Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
Bluish lips/face
Chest pain
Severe muscle pain
Severe dehydration (not urinating)
Fever above 104°F in children >12 weeks, any fever at all for infants <12 weeks
Seizures
Confusion/inability to arouse
Fever/cough that improves then worsens
Worsening chronic medical conditions

Since these illnesses are viral, they cannot be treated with antibiotics. Flu & RSV are most often believed to be spread through tiny droplets when we talk, sneeze, or cough and can also remain on surfaces and objects. Besides getting vaccinated against flu, here are some ways to prevent these respiratory viruses:

Staying away from people who are sick & staying home when sick
Covering coughs and sneezes
Frequent handwashing
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices

REMINDER: LPS Guidelines for Illness

Parents are expected to use good judgment in deciding whether a student is well enough to attend school and is not contagious to others. When a student returns to school after an absence, a written explanation for the absence should be sent into the main office. School health policy states that any student with a temperature above 99.8 will be dismissed from school by the school nurse. Due to the contagious nature of the following conditions, please do not send your child to school if any of the situations below apply:

They have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not completed the requirements to end isolation.
They have been on conjunctivitis medication for less than 24 hrs.
They have vomited or had diarrhea within the past 24 hrs.
They have a severe respiratory infection with cough, sore throat or nasal congestion.
They have an undiagnosed rash. They would need a note from their doctor stating their ability to return to school.
They have been on strep throat medication for less than 24 hrs.
They have had a fever over 99.8 and have not been fever free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours.

Please see below for a letter from MDPH and AAP regarding fall illness prevention.

Letter From MDPH and AAP Re: Fall Illness Prevention

'Tis The Season - Health & Safety Reminders

As we prepare for the winter celebration season, here are a few ideas that might help decrease the holiday stress and keep you and your family safe and healthy:

With the temperatures dropping, remember to bundle up to stay warm & dry. When sending your students to school, please make sure that they are dressed appropriately. We continue to go outside as much as possible in the winter months, so please make sure that your student has a coat, hat, and gloves.
Prioritize stress management. Take a break when you feel overwhelmed. Find support, connect with others socially, and get good quality sleep.
Practice fire safety. Residential fires are most common during winter months. Remember not to leave any space heaters, fireplaces, ignited stoves, or candles unattended.
Include fruits and vegetables in your diet to pack in nutrients and lower your risk of illness.
Exercise, exercise, exercise! Getting outside for some fresh air and staying active are great for improving mood and managing stress or anxiety.

Vaccines

We wanted to remind you to stay up to date on annual vaccines!
It is recommended that anyone above 6 months of age gets a flu vaccine every year. If you have not done so and have any questions about vaccine options for you or your child, talk to your primary care physician or another health care provider.
COVID boosters are now available for ages 5 and up! There will be a town clinic to provide vaccines to Lynnfield residents on 12/7/22.

Additionally, if your family would like any at-home COVID tests, please contact your school nurse.

Town of Lynnfield Flu & COVID Vaccine Clinic

Text-to-911

The Massachusetts State 911 Department is now promoting additional accessibility to emergency services. You are now able to text to "911" when calling is not an option. Please see the below PDF for more details.

Text-to-911

Talk. They Hear You.

A Healthy Lynnfield is taking part in a national campaign called "Talk. They Hear You." This campaign by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) aims to help parents and caregivers talk with their children about underage drinking and substance use prevention. Please see more here.

A Healthy Lynnfield Flyer- Talk. They Hear You.