Guidelines to Help You Decide When to Keep Your Child Home from School

If your child is ill, you might be struggling with a decision of
whether or not to send him to school.  You don‛t want him to miss school,
but sending a sick child to school is not only unhealthy for your child but
other children as well.
Below are a few guidelines to follow if you are not sure if your child
should stay at home or go to school:
*FEVER
A fever is an important sign and key factor when deciding whether to
send your child to school or not. It is essential to take your child‛s
temperature correctly:

1. Always take the temperature before giving any medication.

2. Use an oral (mouth) thermometer. Place it under the tongue and
have your child close his mouth. (Taking a temperature under the
arm or feeling the forehead is not as accurate)

3. Do not check the temperature right after having something cold or
hot in the mouth.

A temperature over 100.0F or 37.7C is an important symptom.  Your child
could be carrying something contagious.  Keep him at home and provide
lots of rest and fluids to let the body fight the illness.  Don‛t send
him/her back to school until the temperature is normal for 24 hours
without the aid of fever-reducing medicines such as Panadol or Tylenol.

*DIARRHEA and/or VOMITING-
 These are very uncomfortable symptoms and may be signs of a more serious illness.  If your child has
one or two loose stools it is not necessary to keep him home unless there
are other signs of illness However, if your child has frequent diarrhea or
it is accompanied by a fever and or abdominal cramping it is best to stay
at home. Remember to replace the fluids lost with juices and water.
Children will at times vomit due to stress or excess activity. If your child
is otherwise feeling fine he can come to school. If the vomiting is
accompanied by nausea and/or your child is unable to keep food down it is
best to stay home.

*SORE THROAT-
 If your child complains of a sore throat check his
temperature. If there is no fever it may be sore because of cold/dry air
conditioning or a blocked nose. Have your child eat breakfast and have
something to drink. Gargling with salt water or mouthwash may also help.
If there is a fever the throat is red and it is very painful see a doctor. If
it is diagnosed as strep throat keep your child at home until s/he has
been on antibiotics for 24 hours or as advised by your doctor.
*CHICKEN POX-
This is a childhood disease that is very contagious.  If
your child has a fever and itchy pink or red spots with a blister in the
center, there is a good chance it is chicken pox.  Let the school know and
keep your child home 7-10 days or until all of the spots have dried or
formed scabs. There is a vaccine available to prevent chicken pox.

PINK EYE or CONJUNCTIVITIS-
This is a highly contagious and uncomfortable infection of the eye.
When your child complains of an eye burning or itching and the white of the eye is red and/or there is a
discharge present, consult your physician.  He may prescribe special drops
for the eye.  Keep your child home until the doctor has OK‛s your child‛s
return to school. If your child presents with these symptoms at school
you will be asked to take him home until medication has been started and
the doctor has OK‛d his return to school

RINGWORM-
Ringworm is a fungal infection found on the skin or the
scalp. Your child should see a doctor and use an anti-fungal medication.
Your child does NOT have to stay out of school as long as the areas can
be covered. However, your child will need to stay out of the pool.
While we want all students to be able to come to school every day,
there are times when it is important to the health of your child and the
community to stay home. If the above guidelines are followed it will help
keep your child and others healthy this school year.

HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES
One of the goals of the school nurse is to help maintain the good
health of students so they may attend school regularly and to identify
students who need medical attention.  School nurses provide first aid,
health maintenance, medication administration, nursing treatments,
medical referrals and maintenance of health records for all students.  In addition,
the school nurse acts as a consultant to the school team that
plans for student‛s special needs.

However, the school nurse is not the only person involved with the
health of the students. It is a combined effort that also includes the
family, the faculty and most importantly the students.
Here are some tips for taking responsibility for your own health:

*Wash your hands thoroughly, frequently and with soap. You can
also use waterless hand soap. Hands are the most common means of
disease transmission.

*Get fresh air and exercise. Go outside for breaks; don‛t stay
inside and work on the computer or do your homework. Your brains as well
as your bodies need break periods to relax and de-stress.  Also, the air
inside tends to be drier which can lead to nosebleeds, chapped lips and
increased respiratory infections.

*Cover your sneezes! And not with your hands. Use disposable
tissues or sneeze into your arm or shoulder.  Remember, your hands will
spread germs!

*Drink plenty of water.  This means 2-3 liters a day (more when
you spend time out in hot weather) And remember, drinks with caffeine
make you lose more liquid than you take in, so they don‛t count.

*Eat a good breakfast.  Your body hasn‛t had any fuel since the
night before. Give your body and brain what it needs to work hard and
stay healthy.

*Get a good night‛s sleep.  Sleep is important to our physical,
mental and emotional well-being.

* Immunize! Make sure you have had recommended vaccinations to
protect your health

These tips may seem commonplace and simple but that is because
they work.  They will help to avoid common ailments such as headaches,
stomachaches, the common cold and general aches and pains.
Take the time to be healthy!!

Sue Bank

There are many reasons to sue a bank. Banks have a fiduciary duty to their customers, and if they break it, they are liable. Also, in today’s market, it seems that banks keep coming up with new ways to take advantage of their customers, such as levying huge fees, changing interest rates, and so on.

It is also possible to sue a bank for predatory lending practices. But it’s not easy. Banks have lots of money (surprise, surprise) and plenty of legal muscle at their disposal.While they have very, very deep pockets from which to satisfy a judgment, they’re going to make it very difficult to get a judgment against them in the first place.

In terms of the formalities, filing a lawsuit against a bank is just like filing suit against any other company. In practice, though, it’s going to be different.

Before allowing you to open an account, banks always force customers to sign an agreement to their terms of service. And–surprise again–these documents have been very carefully worded to work only to the bank’s advantage. Before suing the bank, you will need to be sure you have a copy of all the “agreements” you have made with the bank. It’s very likely that there will be wording that will make your battle an uphill one.

Especially when you’re up against a formidable opponent like a bank, you’ll want to consult an attorney. Get copies of all relevant documents and be prepared to lay out your case in great detail. Your attorney will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a case, and whether or not you can win. Some people believe that it’s impossible to get an attorney to go up against a bank. That’s not true; people have hired lawyers to sue banks, and sometimes have one. However, because the entire “system,” starting with the terms of service, is heavily slanted against the consumer, it’s tough going. Attorneys know this. They’re only being ethical by being reluctant to file lawsuits that they know are very difficult to win.

You can also, in many states, sue a bank in small claims court. This is an interesting possibility because often, small claims courts require plaintiffs and defendants to represent themselves rather than being represented by an attorney. But even if the court says that both you and the bank must represent themselves, there is no prohibition on being advised by an attorney. And you can bet that whoever represents the bank will have plenty of lawyerly advice. So if you decide to take this route, be sure to consult an attorney as well.

Traveler’s Health Tips

The holidays are close at hand and many families will be traveling this season.
Consider adding some, or all, of these to your travel activities, both prior to boarding
and while you're on board a long flight:

· Drink sufficient fluids
· Wear loose­fitting clothes
· Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages
· Perform physical exercises in your seat (particularly for feet and legs). You
could do toe touches or simply rise up on your toes several times to "pump"
the blood around.
· Follow the "Fasten Seatbelt" signs when lit, but get up when it is safe to do so
and stretch your legs.

Sitting relatively motionless for long periods of time allows blood to pool in the legs
and, at times, to clot. Then when the person begins to move around again, there is a
small risk that a clot will be dislodged from the blood vessel wall and travel to vital
organs in other parts of the body. This condition is known as deep­vein thrombosis
(DVT). If a dislodged clot were to travel to the lungs, it can cause a potentially fatal
disorder called pulmonary embolism (PE).
The danger of DVT is that it often does not manifest any symptoms. Or in some
cases, people may experience tenderness, pain, fluid retention, warmth or bluish
skin discoloration at the site of the DVT.
The symptoms can include one or more of the following: sudden shortness of breath,
sharp localized chest pain, or coughing up blood.

Jet Lag


If your flight crosses more than 3 time zones, then you might experience jet lag. Symptoms of jet
lag include:

· Fatigue (and yet inability to sleep at the new night time).
· Loss of appetite.
· Difficulty concentrating.
· Altered bowel movements.
· Generally feeling "below par".

The symptoms arise because your body clock is slow to adjust to the new time zone. Jet­lag
tends to be more of a problem if you are older, if you are flying east or if you are flying long
distances.
There is good news, however, because research has shown that the body clock can be made toadjust faster by exposure to bright light and dim light at appropriate times.
Travelers Diarrhoea
Travelers commonly suffer attacks of diarrhoea particularly during the first week or two of a stay
in a foreign environment. The commonest causes are bacteria and viruses in contaminated food
and water. Symptoms are usually those of abdominal cramps, vomiting and fever followed by
diarrhoea lasting for about 2­3 days. In warm climates dehydration can lead to rapid prostration,
particularly in children.

Treatment

Children

Children should continue to eat and babies continue to be breastfed otherwise they quickly lose
weight and energy.
Fluid replacement is essential and should be started early.
Sugar/salt rehydration solution may either be made up from commercially available mixtures or as
follows:
To 1 litre of clean water (boiled, bottled or from a purifier) add 1 level teaspoon of salt and 8 level
teaspoons of sugar.
For each loose stool passed give:

· Small infants ­ ¼ glass of solution and one volume of plain water for every two volumes.
· Small children ­ ½ glass of solution
· Older children ­ 1 glass of solution.
· Sufficient fluid should given to ensure a good output of normal looking urine.

Adults


Continue to eat but choose a bland diet and avoid alcohol and dairy products until 12 hours after
the last loose stool.
Fluid replacement ­ 2 glasses of solution per loose stool.
Total fluid intake should be about 3 litres per 24 hours.
If diarrhoea lasts longer than 4 days or there is a fever of 38 degrees C or greater or there is
blood in the stool then medical attention should be sought.
Prevention
It is very difficult to avoid traveler’s diarrhoea but the risk may be reduced by
avoiding food and water, which may be contaminated.

Allergy Basics

What Are Allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system. People who have allergies
have a hyper­alert immune system that overreacts to a substance in the
environment called an allergen. Exposure to what is normally a harmless
substance, such as pollen, causes the immune system to react as if the
substance is harmful.
Allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least 2 out of every 10
Americans.
What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?
When a person with a hyper­alert immune system is exposed to an allergen, a
series of events takes place:

1. The body starts to produce a specific type of antibody, called IgE, to fight
the allergen.

2. The antibodies attach to a form of blood cell called a mast cell. Mast cells
are plentiful in the airways, and in the GI tract where allergens tend to
enter the body.

3. The mast cells explode releasing a variety of chemicals including
histamine, which causes most of the symptoms of an allergy, including
itchiness or runny nose.

If the allergen is in the air, the allergic reaction will occur in the eyes, nose, and
lungs. If the allergen is ingested, the allergic reaction will occur in the mouth,
stomach, and intestines. Sometimes enough chemicals are released from the
mast cells to cause a reaction throughout the body, such as hives decreased
blood pressure, shock, or loss of consciousness. This severe type of reaction is
called anaphylaxis and can be life­threatening
What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?
Allergy symptoms can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe
(anaphylactic).
· Mild reactions include those symptoms that affect a specific area of the
body such as a rash or hives, itchy, watery eyes, and some congestion.
Mild reactions do not spread to other parts of the body.
· Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of the
body. These may include itchiness or difficulty breathing.· A severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, is a rare, life­threatening emergency in which the body's response to the allergen is sudden and
affects the whole body. It may begin with the sudden onset of itching of
the eyes or face and within minutes progress to more serious symptoms,
including varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and
swallowing difficult, abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Mental confusion or dizziness may also be symptoms, since anaphylaxis
causes a quick drop in blood pressure.

Does Everyone Have Allergies?

No. Most allergies are inherited, which means they are passed on to children
by their parents. People inherit a tendency to be allergic, although not to any
specific allergen. When one parent is allergic, their child has a 50% chance of
having allergies. That risk jumps to 75% if both parents have allergies.
Allergy Triggers
There are a number of different allergy­causing substances. The most common
include pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, latex, and certain
food and medication. If you have an allergy your symptoms can range from mild
eye irritation and congestion to a more severe reaction causing swelling and
difficulty breathing. And, if you have asthma, a reaction to any offending allergy­
causing substance can worsen your asthma symptoms. But, there are steps you
can take to prevent and treat allergy attacks when they occur.

Pollen


Exposure to pollen can trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies. Symptoms include
sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes. Treatments
include over­the­counter and prescription antihistamines such as Benadryl,
Clarinex, or Allegra, decongestants like Sudafed, nasal steroids like Beconase
and Flonase, Nasalcrom and drugs that combine antihistamines and
decongestants like Allegra­D, Claritin­D or Zyrtec. Allergy shots, also called
immunotherapy, are also an option.
Prevent hay fever symptoms by staying indoors when pollen counts are high,
closing windows, and using air conditioning.

Dust Mites


Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in house dust. House dust is a
mixture of potentially allergenic materials including fibers from different fabrics,
dander from animals, bacteria, mold or fungus spores, food particles, bits of
plants, and others. Symptoms of dust mite allergy are similar to pollen allergy butoften occur year round rather than just seasonally. Treatment may include
medications such as antihistamines or decongestants.
Prevent dust mite allergy by putting plastic covers over mattresses, using
hypoallergenic pillows, washing sheets weekly in hot water and keeping all areas
of the house, especially the bedroom, free of dust collecting stuffed animals,
curtains, and carpet.

Molds


Molds are parasitic, microscopic fungi with spores that float in the air like pollen.
Mold is a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas such as
basements or bathrooms, as well as in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch, or under
mushrooms. Symptoms of mold allergies can occur seasonally, especially in the
summer and fall or year round if mold is in your home. Symptoms are like those
of pollen and dust mite allergies and include sneezing, congestion, itchy and
watery eyes, runny nose, and coughing. Treatments are the same as those for
dust mites or pollen.
Prevent mold allergies by avoiding activities that trigger symptoms, such as
raking leaves. Keep windows and doors closed, and make sure moist places in
the home, such as the basement and bathrooms, are well ventilated.

Animal Dander and Cockroaches


Proteins secreted by oil glands in an animal's skin, as well as the proteins
present in an animal's saliva, can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Allergies to animals can take two or more years to develop and symptoms may
not subside until months after ending contact with the animal. Symptoms include
sneezing, congestion, and itchy and watery eyes. Treatments include avoiding
exposure to animals that cause your allergies when possible. Medications such
as antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, or others may be helpful.
Immunotherapy may be recommended if your symptoms are chronic.
Cockroaches can cause similar symptoms. The treatments are the same.
Prevent allergies to pet dander and cockroaches by removing the pet from the
home, or at least the bedroom. Keep pets off upholstered furniture, wash the pet
weekly. Cockroach allergy can be prevented by keeping trash in closed
containers and taking it out regularly.

Insect Stings

Everyone who gets stung by an insect will have pain, swelling, and redness
around the sting site. However, people who are allergic to stings can have a
severe or even life­threatening reaction. Symptoms of insect sting allergy includeextensive swelling and redness from the sting or bite that may last a week or
more, nausea, fatigue, and low­grade fever. On rare occasions, insect stings may
cause a full­body allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis
may include difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, throat or mouth,
wheezing or difficulty swallowing, restlessness and anxiety, rapid pulse,
dizziness, or a sharp drop in blood pressure. For people who are severely
allergic to insect stings, the medicine epinephrine should be administered soon
after being stung to prevent the development of a life­threatening situation.
Prevention is the best treatment. Minimize exposure to insects by not wearing
brightly colored clothes and scented cosmetics and by keeping insecticide
available, wearing shoes outdoors, and avoiding outdoor garbage. If you do get
stung, remove the stinger. If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, get an epinephrine
injection immediately. An oral antihistamine, like Benadryl, may be taken to
reduce itching, swelling, and hives, and a pain­reliever may be taken and ice
pack used to dull pain caused by the sting.
Insects that cause allergic reactions include various bees, fire ants, yellow
jackets, hornets, and wasps.


Latex

Rubber gloves are the most common offending product for people with a latex
allergy, but a latex allergy can also be triggered by latex in condoms and certain
medical devices. Symptoms of latex allergy include skin rash, hives, eye tearing
and irritation, runny nose, sneezing, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and
itching of the skin or nose. Allergic reactions to latex can range from skin redness
and itching to a much more serious reaction, called anaphylaxis which can cause
difficulty breathing, hives, or sudden gastrointestinal problems.
Treatments include removal of the latex product. To relieve symptoms,
antihistamines or epinephrine will be given. If you have a latex allergy, it is
important for you to wear a Medic Alert bracelet and carry an emergency
epinephrine kit at all times. To prevent a latex reaction, sensitive individuals
should avoid products containing latex.

Foods

Milk, fish and shellfish, nuts, wheat, and eggs are the most common foods that
cause allergies. A food allergic reaction usually occurs within minutes of eating
the offending food and symptoms, which can include asthma, hives, runny nose,
vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling in the area around the mouth, can be severe.
The best treatment is to avoid the offending food altogether; but when exposed,
treatment with antihistamines or steroids is recommended. In life­threatening
situations, an epinephrine injection is needed to reverse symptoms.Medication
Some people develop allergies to certain medications, such as penicillin or
aspirin. Symptoms can range from mild to life­threatening and can include hives,
skin rash, itchy skin or eyes, congestion, and swelling in the mouth and throat.
The best treatment of drug allergies is to avoid the offending drug altogether;
however, when exposed, treatment with antihistamines or steroids is
recommended. For coughing and lung congestion, drugs called bronchodilators
may be prescribed to widen the airways. For more serious symptoms
epinephrine may be needed.
Allergy symptoms can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.
Mild Allergic Reactions

Can include:
·  Rash or hives
·  Itchy, watery eyes
·  Congestion

Mild reactions do not spread to other parts of the body.
Moderate Allergic Reactions
Can include symptoms that spread to other parts of the body, including:
·  Itchiness
·  Difficulty breathing
Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis)
Anaphylaxis is a rare, life threatening emergency in which the body’s response to
the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body. It may begin with sudden
itching of the eyes or face and within minutes progress to more serious
symptoms, including:
·  Varying degrees of swelling that can make breathing and swallowing
difficult
·  Abdominal pain
·  Cramps
·  Vomiting
·  Diarrhea
·  Mental confusion or dizziness

Block Itchy Nose?

The term “sinus” is often used to describe two different kinds of nasal disorders, rhinitis or
sinusitis.
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose, often due to an allergy
to pollen, dust or other airborne substances. It sometimes co exists with other allergic disorders.
Sinusitis is inflammation of the membrane lining inside the sinuses (air­filled spaces in the bones
around the eyes and behind the nose) and usually involves a bacterial or viral infection.

Rhinitis:
one of the most common forms is allergic rhinitis
Causes:
· Airborne pollen
· Animal dander ( dried skin flakes and saliva)
· Cockroach droppings
· Dust mites.
Symptoms:
· Sneezing
· Congestion
· Runny nose
· Itchiness in the nose, throat, roof of the mouth, eyes and ears.
· .
Causes of non allergic rhinitis include:
· Fumes
· Odors
· Temperature
· Atmospheric changes
· Smoke
· Other irritants
Treatments:
· If possible, avoid identified allergen.
· Use of oral and nasal antihistamines.
· Decongestants, to alleviate blocked and runny nose
Sinusitis:
There are two types, Acute Sinusitis and Chronic Sinusitis.
Acute sinusitis, often caused by a bacterial infection, usually developing as a complication of a
viral respiratory infection such as the common cold.
Chronic sinusitis may also be caused by a bacterial infection, but is more often a chronic
inflammatory disorder similar to bronchial asthma.Signs and Symptoms of Sinusitis:
· Thick yellow or green mucous that runs from the nose or down the throat
· Bad breath or bad taste
· Blocked stuffy nose
· Facial pain or tenderness (forehead, cheeks or between the eyes)
· Cough
· Headache
· Ache in the upper teeth
· Fever and chills
· Tiredness
· Swelling around the eyes or cheeks
Tips on taking care and treatment:
· Contact your medical practitioner as antibiotics will probably be prescribed, you will
usually start feeling better in a couple of days but remember it is important to complete
the course, even after you’re feeling better.
· Get plenty of rest. Lying down can make your sinuses feel more stopped­up, so try lying
on the side that lets you breathe the best and elevate your head with extra pillows.
· Sip hot liquids and drink plenty of fluids.
· Apply moist heat by holding a warm, wet towel against your face or breathing in steam
through a cloth or towel.
· Talk with your doctor before using an over­the­counter cold medicine. Some cold
medicines can make your symptoms worse or cause other problems.
· Don’t use a nose spray with a decongestant in it for more than 3 days. If you use it for
more than 3 days, the swelling in your sinuses may get worse when you stop the
medicine.
· Use an over­the­counter medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol) for pain

When and How to Treat a Fever

A fever is an increase in body temperature above a normal range. For
school purposes we define this as a temperature over 37.7C /100F.  The
causes of fever are many and include disease factors as well as overheating
due to heat stroke.  This article will discuss fevers caused by an illness.
One of your body’s natural defense mechanisms to an illness is an
increase in temperature. The heat produced has benefits that help you fight
the illness. These benefits include:
Promoting rest because you feel unwell.
Destroying organisms that are causing the illness
Increases the effect of your immune system response
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that if the
fever is under 101F/38.3C treatment is usually not necessary and fevers
under 102F/38.9C are in themselves not harmful to the body. However, if
your child has a history of febrile seizures or is very uncomfortable due to
aches and pains associated with the illness treatment of the fever is advised.
To make yourself or your child more comfortable keep the room at a
comfortable, cool temperature, rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat simple
foods that are easy to digest.
When a fever is over 102F/38.9C two methods to decrease the fever
are sponge baths and fever­reducing medicines. Sponge baths should be
done with slightly warm water, not cold. Do not use alcohol as it could be
absorbed by the skin or inhaled. Fever reducing medicines such as Panadol,
Tylenol and ibuprofen are effective in reducing fevers and easing aches and
pains. However they do not make you well. You may still be contagious to
others and your fever may return when the medicine wears off in 4­6 hours.
Therefore, if you are unwell, check your temperature before you leave home.
Always check your temperature before taking any fever reducing
medicines. If you have a fever over 100F/37.7C stay home. Do not go
back to school or work until your fever has been gone for 24 hours
without using medication to bring it down.

Here are some tips for using fever­reducing medication:

Do not use aspirin with children as it can cause Reyes
Syndrome, a potentially fatal illness.

Ibuprofen should not be given to babies under 6 months or
children who are dehydrated or vomiting.

Do not exceed the dosage listed for yourself or child.

 Tylenol and Panadol can be toxic to your liver.

Check the ingredients on other medication you take or give
your children.

 Many contain fever­reducing medicines.

 Look for acetaminophen or paracetamol on the list of ingredients. Also, make sure the
medication you give your children does not contain alcohol. 

This can be found in many over­the­counter cold and flu preparations.
A fever is the body’s natural defense against an illness. A mild
fever under 101F/38.3C will help fight off the illness. Fever­reducing
medicine is usually not necessary and in fact stops your body from
working against the illness. Your body needs lots of rest and fluids.
It is important both for the health of your child and the health of
others in the school community that students with fevers are kept at
home. Although fever­reducing medicines make lower the fever your
child still needs rest and may be contagious to others.  If your child has
a fever at school you will be asked to take your child home. Make sure
your fever is gone for 24 hours without using medication before you   
return to work or school.

Guidelines to Help You Decide When to Keep Your Child Home from School

If your child is ill, you might be struggling with a decision of
whether or not to send him to school.  You don‛t want him/her to miss school,
but sending a sick child to school is not only unhealthy for your child but
other children as well.
Below are a few guidelines to follow if you are not sure if your child
should stay at home or go to school:

*FEVER 

A fever is an important sign and key factor when deciding whether to send your child to school or not. It is essential to take your child‛s temperature correctly:

1. Always take the temperature before giving any medication.
2. Use an oral (mouth) thermometer. Place it under the tongue and
have your child close his mouth. (Taking a temperature under the
arm or feeling the forehead is not as accurate)
3. Do not check the temperature right after having something cold or
hot in the mouth.
A temperature over 100.0F or 37.7C is an important symptom.  Your child
could be carrying something contagious.  Keep him at home and provide
lots of rest and fluids to let the body fight the illness.  Don‛t send
him/her back to school until the temperature is normal for 24 hours
without the aid of fever-reducing medicines such as Panadol or Tylenol.
*DIARRHEA and/or VOMITING-

These are very uncomfortable symptoms and may be signs of a more serious illness.  If your child has
one or two loose stools it is not necessary to keep him home unless there
are other signs of illness However, if your child has frequent diarrhea or
it is accompanied by a fever and or abdominal cramping it is best to stay
at home. Remember to replace the fluids lost with juices and water.
Children will at times vomit due to stress or excess activity. If your child
is otherwise feeling fine he can come to school. If the vomiting is
accompanied by nausea and/or your child is unable to keep food down it is
best to stay home. 

*SORE THROAT-

If your child complains of a sore throat check his
temperature. If there is no fever it may be sore because of cold/dry air
conditioning or a blocked nose. Have your child eat breakfast and have
something to drink. Gargling with salt water or mouthwash may also help.
If there is a fever the throat is red and it is very painful see a doctor. If
it is diagnosed as strep throat keep your child at home until s/he has
been on antibiotics for 24 hours or as advised by your doctor.
*CHICKEN POX- 

This is a childhood disease that is very contagious.  If
your child has a fever and itchy pink or red spots with a blister in the
center, there is a good chance it is chicken pox.  Let the school know and
keep your child home 7-10 days or until all of the spots have dried or
formed scabs. There is a vaccine available to prevent chicken pox.
PINK EYE or CONJUNCTIVITIS- 

This is a highly contagious and
uncomfortable infection of the eye. When your child complains of an eye
burning or itching and the white of the eye is red and/or there is a
discharge present, consult your physician.  He may prescribe special drops
for the eye.  Keep your child home until the doctor has OK‛s your child‛s
return to school. If your child presents with these symptoms at school
you will be asked to take him home until medication has been started and
the doctor has OK‛d his return to school
RINGWORM- 

Ringworm is a fungal infection found on the skin or the
scalp. Your child should see a doctor and use an anti-fungal medication.
Your child does NOT have to stay out of school as long as the areas can
be covered. However, your child will need to stay out of the pool.
While we want all students to be able to come to school every day,
there are times when it is important to the health of your child and the
community to stay home. If the above guidelines are followed it will help
keep your child and others healthy this school year.
HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES

One of the goals of the school nurse is to help maintain the good
health of students so they may attend school regularly and to identify
students who need medical attention.  School nurses provide first aid,
health maintenance, medication administration, nursing treatments,
medical referrals and maintenance of health records for all students.  In

addition, the school nurse acts as a consultant to the school team that
plans for student‛s special needs.
However, the school nurse is not the only person involved with the
health of the students. It is a combined effort that also includes the
family, the faculty and most importantly the students.
Here are some tips for taking responsibility for your own health:
*Wash your hands thoroughly, frequently and with soap. You can
also use waterless hand soap. Hands are the most common means of
disease transmission.
*Get fresh air and exercise. Go outside for breaks; don‛t stay
inside and work on the computer or do your homework. Your brains as well
as your bodies need break periods to relax and de-stress.  Also, the air
inside tends to be drier which can lead to nosebleeds, chapped lips and
increased respiratory infections.
*Cover your sneezes! And not with your hands. Use disposable
tissues or sneeze into your arm or shoulder.  Remember, your hands will
spread germs!
*Drink plenty of water.  This means 2-3 liters a day (more when
you spend time out in hot weather) And remember, drinks with caffeine
make you lose more liquid than you take in, so they don‛t count.
*Eat a good breakfast.  Your body hasn‛t had any fuel since the
night before. Give your body and brain what it needs to work hard and
stay healthy.
*Get a good night‛s sleep.  Sleep is important to our physical,
mental and emotional well-being.
* Immunize! Make sure you have had recommended vaccinations to
protect your health
These tips may seem commonplace and simple but that is because
they work.  They will help to avoid common ailments such as headaches,
stomachaches, the common cold and general aches and pains.

Tounge Cancer!!!!!

Tongue health is rarely spoken about. Have youever heard of tongue cancer or oropharyngeal cancer? I was surprised to know it today, doyou? It did happen though not many cases. Tongue cancer is a kind of oral cancer.

Anyone can get tongue cancer, though people who use tobacco products and are older than 45 years old are at a higher risk.

What can cause tongue cancer?
The risk below can cause tongue cancer but not all people with the risk can develope tongue cancer.

• Age over 40 years
• Alcohol abuse
• Diet low in fruits and vegetables
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
• Male gender
• Personal history of oral cancer
• Smoking or use of other tobacco products

Symptoms of tongue cancer

• A red or white patches on the tongue, which will not disappear;
• Sore throat that does not go away
• Place a pain in the tongue that does not go away
• Pain when swallowing
• Numbness in the mouth that will not go away
• Unexplained bleeding from the tongue (which is not caused by biting the tongue or other injury)
• Pain in the ear (rarely happen)

These symptoms may be caused by other less serious sickness. But it is important to check the symptoms with your doctor just to be sure.

Treating tongue cancer

Diagnose cancer earlier means it will be easier to control and possibly cure. Treatment can be done by:

• surgery
• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy

You may have one or a combination of treatments

To reduce the risk of tongue cancer
As like other type of cancer,

• Eat lots of vegetables and fruits
• Retiring from the use of tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
• Reduce your alcohol intake
• Do a regular exercise

Prevention is better than a treatment for the sake of your health.

Want to be HAPPY... Eat Healthy FOOD!!!

Health of human brain power and happines are related to food that we eat.
Certain micronutrients have effect on brain functions, cognition and emotion so closely related to what you eat just a few hours, days or weeks.

Blueberries and cocoa may cheer the mood after 5 hours of taking it.

It contains flavonoids which also found in green tea, red wine and grapes. Volunteers in the study who drank blueberry smoothie in the morning, did much better at mental tasks in the afternoon than those who drink other beverages.

Findings on cocoa show the same effect after only 2 hours of intake can increase concentration and memory. Flavonoids in cocoa also can lower blood pressure and inflammation.

Dark green vegetables, when taken continuously for days or weeks can get rid of low mood and depression.

Lack of folic acid can cause depression, so the addition of folic acid in the diet can cure or prevent it.

Foods high in protein such as eggs, meat, milk and fish not only healthy but can increase concentration and alertness.

Carbohydrate foods such as bread and potatoes can be calm & relax.

Micronutrient levels are also associated with a powerful long term impact on mental well being, has the potential to prevent from age-related memory loss.
Studies have shown that taking high doses of vitamin B on daily basis can reduce brain shrinkage for those aged over 70 years so they can maintain the memory and brainpower health.

Malaysia (Budget 2012)

Budget 2012 was tabled on October 7, 2012 by YB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Prime Minister and also Finance Minister of Malaysia in the Dewan Rakyat. Pix from thesundaily.my

Total budget - RM232.8 billion
Operating expenses - RM181.6 billion
Development Expenditure - RM51.2 billion

Among the interesting facts on budget 2012 are:

Hybrid cars.

Full exemption from import duty and excise duty on imported hybrid and electric cars will be extended until 2013. Budget 2012 is good because it contributes to environmental preservation. Electric cars everyone?

No more school fees

Budget 2012 also abolished fees for primary and secondary schools will be starting from January next year (2012) of all government schools. This includes payment for extra-curricular activities, takaful insurance and etc. Hopefully there will be no more families complain because they cannot afford to pay school fees.

Extended Retirement Age

Budget 2012 extended the mandatory retirement age from 58 to 60 years old. This is quite beneficial because at this age they are still active and their skills are much needed by the country. But there were voices that do not support these suggestions. Isn't this move good?

Skim Amanah Rakyat 1Malaysia

The scheme is open to households earning RM3,000 and below, which will benefit 100 thousand housing issues. Investors can seek loans of RM5,000 with a repayment period of five years. Budget 2012 let you save some money, isn't it?

And of course there are more on budget 2012 .... ;)