Lice, Asthma & Other Bugs Jeanne Salvadori, RN,BSN, M.Ed. School Nursing Services Program Specialist San Diego County Office of Education

Transcription

1 Lice, Asthma & Other Bugs Jeanne Salvadori, RN,BSN, M.Ed. School Nursing Services Program Specialist San Diego County Office of Education

2 Objectives: List common school health related attendance excuses Provide current information and treatment protocols for: Asthma Head Lice Scabies Bed Bugs

3 Some of my favorite school absence excuses: Real School Absence Excuse Notes (Spellings Have Been Left Intact) My son is under a doctor's care and should not take PE today. Please execute him. Dear school: please ecsc's john being absent on jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and also 33. Please excuse gloria from jim today. She is administrating. Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part. Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins. Sally won't be in school a week from friday. We have to attend her funeral. Please excuse ray friday from school. He has very loose vowels. I kept Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because i don't know what size she wear. Please excuse jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it monday. We thought it was sunday.

4 Health Conditions Related to School Frequent Absences Serious chronic illness- i.e. cancer treatment, cystic fibrosis, etc. Serious infections & communicable disease- i.e. TB, measles Asthma Bugs especially head lice

5 For most children asthma should not be a barrier to good school attendance: Asthma basics: Asthma is a lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways causing difficulty breathing. It can be chronic and persistent or only flare up from time to time.

6 Asthma stats Nearly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma (60% are allergic asthma) There are approximately 60 million people in the U.S. with asthma and/or allergies (1 in 5) Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children In children Boys have a higher rate of asthma than girls Asthma is the #1 chronic cause of school absenteeism among children each year accounting for more than 13 million total missed days of school Asthma accounts for one quarter of all emergency room visits in the U.S. each year Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalizations in children Nearly half (44%) of all asthma hospitalizations are for children

7 Asthma Sign/Symptoms The most common signs and symptoms of asthma include Coughing (often worse at night or early in the morning) Wheezing (high pitched whistling sounds when breathing out - especially in children) Chest tightness Shortness of breath These symptoms can vary greatly in severity and frequency

8 Asthma Categories Mild intermittent Mild persistent Moderate persistent Severe persistent

9 Triggers can cause or worsen asthma symptoms MOST COMMON TRIGGERS : Allergens these may be from dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers Inhaled Irritants such as cigarette smoke, fumes, sprays (such as hairspray), cleaning fluids, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace Medication such as aspirin or other non - steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Motrin, Advil ), naproxen (Aleve)and nonselective beta blockers (high blood pressure medication)

10 Triggers can cause or worsen asthma symptoms MOST COMMON TRIGGERS : Sulfites in foods and drinks Respiratory infections, such as colds & flu Exercise/Physical activity Stress/anxiety (can aggravate or mimic asthma) Foods containing sulfites, especially wine/beer and dried fruit, and some other processed foods can sometimes trigger asthma. Changes in weather or cold air

11 A common causes of asthma related school absences: Mild or severe persistent: Poorly managed persistent asthma- these students should be on daily controller medications (usually an inhaled steroid),use a peak flow monitor and have an Asthma Action Plan (may also need 504 accommodations) Mild or moderate intermittent: exposure to triggers (i.e. Illness, cold weather, mold, etc.) Medications are on an as needed basis. Goal for all -reduce exposure to triggers

12 Asthma If well managed, students with asthma can: Be athletes Be in school Be successful

13 Common School Bugs Lice Scabies Bed bugs None of these bugs should interfere with school attendance

14 Head Lice (Pediculosis capitis) Are tiny parasitic insects very well adapted to living on the scalp and neck hairs and survive by feeding on human blood. Are equal opportunity parasites; they do not respect socio-economic class distinctions Rarely cause direct harm, and they are not known to transmit infectious agents. Thus, they should not be considered as a medical or a public health problem.

15 They look like this: The louse: The nit:

16 Head Lice Current Recommendations School exclusion should be limited (i.e. parent pick up at the end of the school day for live lice if just a few are present) Students should be readmitted to school immediately after treatment without regard to the presence of nits

17 Head Lice Current Recommendations Mass school screenings are not recommended American Academy of Pediatrics California Department of Public Health oolguidanceonheadlice.pdf Centers for Disease Control & Prevention National Association of School Nurses

18 Other bugs Scabies (itch mite) Scabies- a microscopic mite

19 Scabies What you might see:

20 Scabies Are mainly acquired by direct and prolonged skin contact with another infested person (symptoms may not appear for up to two months after infestation) Treatment is a prescription cream or lotion left on for prescribed number of hours Severe residual itching may last for weeks months and does not indicate an ongoing infection

21 Bed Bugs Looks like this: Their bite resembles that of a mosquito or flea

22 Bed Bugs Except for a few minutes of contact while feeding bed bugs do not remain on a person From Identify US website: When not feeding, they hide away in cracks and crevices where they'll be less noticed. Whereas most will tend to hide near where a person sleeps regularly, some may wander into clothing pockets and cuffs, book bags, brief cases, purses, luggage and anywhere else that affords them shelter. If the item in which one or more may be hiding is then taken to school or work, then the little stowaway(s) get to see the world, so to speak. Hence, bed bugs will be carried into schools within the belongings of students as well as adults. FAQS/what-should-schools-do.html

23 Bed Bugs Do not exclude a student with bed bugs What should be done: Educate the kids, their care-givers and the school workers (including teachers and staff) about bed bugs and appropriate means to manage and eliminate them. There should be no shame in having bed bugs at home. The presence of bed bugs has nothing at all to do with cleanliness or housekeeping. Work with pest management professionals to develop written plans one for school & one to guide families FAQS/what-should-schools-do.html

24 Questions?