Nurse’s Notes from Mrs. Kellett:

11-17-09

Dear Parents: As you know, I have been tracking the fevers and flu-like symptoms of our students for the Union County Health Department on a weekly basis for our 782 student population. Our fevers and flu-like symptoms have come down markedly from the week of November 2nd but still exist. The flu-like symptoms being reported by parents of children home ill, and children that I screen for symptoms during the school day and send home will continue to be communicated in our Principal’s Report labeled “H1N1 Update Letter” posted on our School’s website. To comply with the state and federal evidence-based guidelines for this flu season, I would like to make you aware of the following to prevent the spread of flu-like illness:

Our Custodians continue to clean surfaces in the classrooms throughout     the day per CDC Guidelines and once the children have left for the day.

I have been in contact with The Township of Cranford Health Department and the School’s Physician about the trends at our school. They have ordered H1N1 vaccine, and it is now available this Saturday November 21st   11 AM- 4 PM in our School Building. I will be working at the clinic with my colleagues as Public Health Nurses that day, but the Township Health Department will be in charge of running it.  PLEASE CALL THE CRANFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS AND QUESTIONS at 908-709-7238.  The vaccine is not mandatory, it is a personal decision. The pros and cons are listed at the website:http://www.cdc.gov/Features/H1N1Vacccine/

 Thanks to all the parents for complying with keeping their child home when fevers of  100 degrees have occurred and having them remain home until the child has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Ibuprofen. I am most grateful to you.

If your child develops a fever of 100 degree Fahrenheit or more PLEASE CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN TO NOTIFY AND RECEIVE GUIDANCE. Some physicians are prescribing antivirals such as “Tamiflu“ to lessen flu symptoms and speed recovery. The doctor must be notified by the parent within the first 24-48 hours of the symptoms for antivirals to be effective. This is especially important to do if your child has Asthma or Diabetes.

I have been teaching the children in their classrooms what they can do to protect themselves during this flu season. They were given handouts geared toward their developmental level from the Centers for Disease Control and the National Association of School Nurses so they can review these actions in simple terms.

A great resource for parents about the care of their child dealing with the flu is the Center for Disease Control’s website: “CDC H1NI Flu Resources for Parents“ at : http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents

 

                                    Sincerely, Elizabeth Kellett,RN,CSN