From the Health Office....Mrs. O'Malley
Spring is here with sunny, warmer days and early emergence of pollen and molds that trigger seasonal allergies. Children, who have never been diagnosed with seasonal allergies before, are often affected when the pollen/mold levels are high.
Common symptoms include itchy/watery eyes, nasal stuffiness/drainage, scratchy throat, and headaches (same as covid so please do a covid test first). If your child suffers from allergy symptoms, please contact your doctor for advice on eye drops, nasal sprays, or an appropriate non-drowsy allergy medication that can be taken before school to provide all day relief from symptoms.
Poison Ivy is everywhere. Contact with the oil from the plant’s leaf causes irritation and a red pimple-like rash. Children should wear appropriate clothing to protect skin exposure to poison ivy, especially in wooded or grassy areas. Showering after being outdoors is also a good practice to prevent irritation. If a skin rash develops, over-the-counter medications such as caladryl lotion or hydrocortisone cream will provide relief from minor symptoms. When the rash affects the face or eyes, contact your doctor, as a prescription medication may be needed. It is important to remove over-the-head clothing carefully to protect the face and eyes from contact with poison ivy on clothing.
As outdoor evening activities increase, the time of day when mosquitoes are most active, use of bug repellent can help prevent bites. Ticks can be found in the woods, but also in low bushes, grass and on pets. It is a good practice to check children and pets for ticks when they come in from outdoors.
Drinking enough fluids and good nutrition are very important during the warm weather as the body works harder to regulate temperature. Please encourage your child to have a full glass of a beverage, water preferred, with breakfast and to bring a drink for snack and lunch. Sunscreen can be applied in the morning since recess is usually outdoors, weather permitting.
A Message from Attleboro Public Schools Nurses
Dear Families,
We hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As the school year progresses, we want to remind you about the importance of keeping your child at home when they are unwell. This not only safeguards their health but also that of their classmates and teachers. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone in our community.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends the following guidelines to keep children home from school:
- Fever: Temperature of 100.0 or greater - Your child must stay home for 24 hours after the fever has dropped and no fever reducing medication has been given in a 24 hour span of time.
- Diarrhea: Your child must stay home until there is no more diarrhea for 24 hours.
- Vomiting: Your child must stay home until vomiting has stopped for at least 24 hours.
- Cold symptoms: Frequent cough, runny nose, sneezing (not necessarily associated with a fever)-Please test for COVID 19. If negative, please use your best judgment when sending your child to school. If positive, please call the health office.
- Remind your child to cough or sneeze into elbow and not into hands. Encourage frequent hand washing.
- Contagious illnesses: (Strep throat* - see below, conjunctivitis), Your child needs to have taken at least 24 hours of prescribed medication before coming back to school.
- Rashes: Rashes need to be evaluated by a doctor to determine cause and treatment
* According to the Centers for Disease Control, the symptoms of strep may include:
- Fever (100.0 or higher)
- Sore throat with or without swollen, red tonsils
- Difficulty swallowing
- Headache, when combined with sore throat
- Stomachache, when combined with sore throat
- Body aches
It is important to note that not all sore throats are caused by strep throat, and a lab test is needed to confirm a strep infection.
We understand the difficulties that arise when keeping your child at home, but we urge you to prioritize their health and safety. With your cooperation, we can create a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Sincerely,
Attleboro Public School Nurses
