Nurse Updates

Dear Families,

I am happy to report that our illness numbers have been improving so let's hope we are slowly getting out of the illness season.

Please continue to remind your child(ren) to cover their coughs/sneezes with the inside of their elbow, maintain good hand hygiene by washing their hands frequently, and stay home when ill.

If your child has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, they should stay home from school until they are free of these symptoms for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

Thank you for your help in keeping our schools healthy!

Below you will find information on the following:

• Illness Protocol
• Health Topics
• Impetigo
• Autism (April is Autism Awareness month)
• Our Health Staff

Nicole Wollert

District Nurse

nicole.wollert@westfieldpioneers.org

If your child has a fever over 100 degrees, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, your child should stay home from school. Your child may return to school when they have been free of fever/vomiting/diarrhea for at least 24 hours.

Your child should also stay home from school if he/she has an unidentified rash or live head lice.

If your child has a rash, your child may return to school when their doctor recommends. Please provide a note to your child's school office from their medical provider indicating when they may return.

If your child has live head lice, he/she may return to school after they are treated as long as there are no longer any live lice.

Your child should stay home if he/she has an eye infection and is unable to avoid touching their eyes.

If your child has a communicable disease, please refer to this chart for guidance on when they may return to school.

We have seen a few cases of impetigo this school year.

Here is some information on impetigo.

• Spread/Transmission: Through direct contact with lesions or contaminated objects.
• Typical Symptoms: Small red pimples or fluid-filled blisters. These sores are usually around the nose and mouth. The sores rupture, ooze, and then form a honey-colored crust. The sores can spread to other areas of the body. These sores can be itchy.
• Treatment: Prescription mupirocin antibiotic ointment or cream applied to the sores, typically 2-3 times daily for 5-10 days.
• Prevention: Regular and thorough handwashing and good hygiene.
• Return to School Criteria: Students who have been diagnosed with impetigo may return to school after they have started appropriate antibiotic treatment and as long as they are keeping lesions covered until the lesions are dry and crusted.

Resources: Mayo Clinic and WI DHS

April is Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness of autism.

Here is some general information about autism spectrum disorder:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems with social interaction and communication. This disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior.
• The term "spectrum" refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.
• Causes: There is no single known cause for ASD. There are believed to be many causes and both genetics and environment may play a role.
• ASD usually begins in early childhood. Often children show symptoms within the first year.
• Symptoms/Signs can include: Reduced eye contact, Lack of response to their name, Resists physical contact and prefers to play alone, Lack of facial expressions, Does not express emotions or feelings, Does not speak or has delayed speech (or loses previous ability to say words or sentences, Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm, Repeats words or phrases, Fixates on an object or activity with abnormal intensity/focus, Does not appear to understand simple questions or directions, Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues (such as other people's facial expressions, tone of voice, or body language), Performs repetitive movements (like spinning, rocking, etc), Problems with coordination, Performs activities that could cause self-harm (such as biting or head-banging), Develops specific routines and does not like changes to the routine, Sensitive to light, sound, or touch but may be indifferent to temperature or pain, Has specific food preferences (such as avoiding foods with a certain texture, etc).
• Risk Factors:
• Gender: Boys are ~4 times more likely to develop ASD than girls are
• Family History: Families with one child with ASD have an increased risk of having another child with it
• Other Disorders: Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and Rett syndrome increase the risk of ASD
• Preterm Babies: Babies born before 26 weeks gestation may have a greater risk
• Parents' Ages: Children born to older parents may have an increased risk but research is still ongoing regarding this risk factor
• Some children with ASD have difficulty learning while some learn very quickly.
• There is no cure for autism spectrum disorder but intensive, early treatment can make a big impact.
• Statistics:
• About 1 in 36 children have been identified with ASD according to the CDC.
• ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

Resources: Mayo Clinic and CDC