Karen Laracy, RN BSN

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Reminder for Students who are sick:

A child should be kept home for at least 24 hours if any of the following 
symptoms are present the morning of school or the previous night:

1.  Vomiting and/or Diarrhea

2.  Fever greater than 100 degrees (A child must be fever free for 24 hours 
before returning to school.)

3.  A severe cold with thick nasal discharge (Remember that Tylenol, Advil, 
etc. can mask the effects of a fever.  Try to take your child's temperature 
before you give fever reducing medicine.)

4.  A cough that keeps a child awake at night, worsens with increased 
activity, or is combined with other symptoms.

5.  Itchy or reddened eyes with or without drainage.  A student diagnosed 
with conjunctivitis may return to school after 24 hours of treatment.

6.  A persistent red, sore throat, especially with a headache, stomachache, 
and enlarged tonsils.  Students who are diagnosed with strep throat should 
remain out of school until they are on medication for 24 hoours.

7.  Children who have "Unidentified Rahses" should have a doctor check them.

It is important to let us know if your child contracts these illnesses so we 
can try to control any outbreaks.

We understand that illness is not planned and some students will get sick at 
school, but we hope that we can minimize the amount of time lost from school 
by keeping sick children at home.

I appreciate you letting me know if your child does have a communicable 
illness so that others can be appropriately notified.

With your help we can all have a healthy school year!!

If you have any questions, please call me at 508-543-1684.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,
Karen Laracy, RN

HEAD LICE: A NUISANCE

The subject of head lice is not a popular one, but their presence affects 
millions each year.  Despite their negative association, they are present in 
people from every socioeconomic bracket.  Having head lice has nothing to do 
with cleanliness nor does it reflect on you as a parent.

When children come in close contact with each other, it is easy to pass head 
lice along.  Head lice are naturally found in our environment.  Shared hats, 
clothing, brushes, pillows and other personal articles are perfect vehicles 
to transfer lice from one person to another.

We would like to ask your assistance in folowing these steps to try to 
prevent their spread to other classmates and family members:
     
     1.  Watch for signs of frequent scratching.  
     2.  Check your child's head/hair regularly.
     3.  If you detect lice or nits, follow the treatment below.
              *Please report the case to the appropriate school nurse so that 
               the remaining students in that class may be checked as well
               as siblings inthe school district.
              *Your child's head/hair will be checked upon return to school to
               be sure it is free of lice and nits.  Once your child is clear
               to return to school, he/she will have a weekly follow-up check
               for up to four (4) weeks.

How To Check For Head Lice:
Head lice are small, only 1/16 of an inch.  They are grayish-white with dark 
edges.  Whilethey cannot fly and do not jump, they move quickly.  Diagnosis 
of head lice is generally made when lice eggs (nits) are evident.  The nits 
are teardrop in shape and are "glued" to the hair shaft.  They cannot be 
washed or brushed out like dandruff.  They are more apt to be found behind 
the ears and at the nape of the neck, although they can be anywhere on the 
head.  Examine your child's head in good light, when you are not in a rush.

Treatment:
1.  Treat hair with a lice killing product or alternative treatment*.  Check 
with your doctor or pharmacist for a specific product to use, and the 
procedure to remove the nits.
2.  THOROUGHLY comb the hair with a nit removal comb, preferably metal, 
available at your pharmacy.  Removal of nits is important to avoid 
reinfestation.  A rinse that loosens nits is available at your pharmacy to 
make the job easier.  The "old fashion" nit loosening rinse is made of 
vinegar and water.

*An alternative treatment would be to completely saturate
       the hair and scalp with olive oil or 100% real mayonnaise
       (not low-fat or fat-free) and then wrap the hair and scalp
       with plastic wrap or cover with a shower cap.  The head 
       should remain wrapped for at least 3 hours--preferably 
       overnight.  Wash the hair then proceed to removal of lice
       and nits.
3.  Wash all clothing, bed linens, pillows, towels, stuffed animals, coats 
and hats in hot water and dry on hot cycle for at least twenty (20)minutes.  
Items that cannot be safely washed should be dry cleaned or sealed in a 
plastic bag for three (3) WEEKS.
4.  Clean all combs and brushes in hot, soapy water.  Let them soak in hot 
water for ten (10) minutes.
5.  Vacuum everywhere to make sure your home is free of lice (carpets, 
mattresses, upholstered furniture).  Do a thorough job and discard the vacuum 
bag promptly.
6.  Check all other family members to see if they are infested.  If they are, 
treat them also.
7.  Explain to your child that this is very common.  While it is a nuisance 
to treat, THE CHILD HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG.  Hopefully, with time and 
education, we can eliminate the negative stigma associated with having head 
lice.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Karen Laracy,RN the Igo  
at 508-543-1684.

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Karen Laracy, RN BSN

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