School Nurses Battle Swine Flu for Kids
With the winter months coming into force school nurses are in the front line to immunize children with the new vaccines.
As winter approaches the school nurse is especially busy at present. The US rules suggests that there is one school nurse per 1,500 pupils which is normally enough but with the presence of swine flu they are particularly stretched.
Most school nurses can not administer drugs but in Washington state school nurses must have at least a BS in nursing and complete an Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certificate in School Nursing. What has been happening is that a whole school will be hit by the virus and some are reporting absentee rates of 10% – but it doesn’t stop there because kids play with kids from other schools and then those schools also get infected.
It’s of course best if you keep children at home if they have a temperature – a sure sign that they have flu and not the common cold (a cold does not come with a fever so you know which one you have although your child may not have swine flu they will certainly have a virus of some kind) – of course viruses generally can not be treated with any antibiotics and bed rest is generally thought to be the best “cure” although any parent who has a sick child and is worried should contact their doctor for more information.
Children are slowly being vaccinated but that doesn’t stop all the problems schools face and it may just be something we have to get used to whilst the winter months are here with the central heating systems turned on and dry air prevalent the virus spreads as generally kids don’t tend to wash their hands as much as adults. Luckily for most children the virus doesn’t last for long and they will get better in time.
Many schools have now received their allocation of the H1N1 vaccines and have started their vaccination programs but because of the huge numbers involved it may take several months for everyone to receive theirs. The US general advice is priority is given to people in the following groups: pregnant women; caregivers of infants under 6 months of age; anyone 6 months to 24; anyone 25 to 64 years of age with a chronic illness; and medical workers who provide direct care.
If you are worried or want more information then either contact your doctor or browse the US health service website.