Annual Update from the Nurses

Annual Update Annual Update from the Nursesfrom the Nurses

Preparing for the FluPreparing for the Flu

How the Flu SpreadsHow the Flu Spreads

• Germs spread mainly through Germs spread mainly through coughs and sneezescoughs and sneezes

• Infections can be passed by a sick Infections can be passed by a sick person who is not experiencing any person who is not experiencing any symptomssymptoms

How to Protect YourselfHow to Protect Yourself

• If you are sick, stay home from work, If you are sick, stay home from work, school, or outings.school, or outings.

• Practice cough and sneeze etiquette.Practice cough and sneeze etiquette.When coughing and/or sneezing:When coughing and/or sneezing: Stay at least 3 feet away from other peopleStay at least 3 feet away from other people Cover your mouth and nose with tissue, throw Cover your mouth and nose with tissue, throw

tissue awaytissue away Use your upper sleeve if you do not have a Use your upper sleeve if you do not have a

tissue (not your hand)tissue (not your hand) Always wash your hands right away afterwardAlways wash your hands right away afterward

Personal hygiene and keeping Personal hygiene and keeping things clean are great ways to things clean are great ways to help yourself and others stay help yourself and others stay

healthy.healthy.

• Washing hands isWashing hands is very importantvery important• Disinfect shared objectsDisinfect shared objects and common areasand common areas• Don’t share personal itemsDon’t share personal items• Teach children healthyTeach children healthy hygiene habitshygiene habits

Simple Hand Washing StepsSimple Hand Washing Steps

• Wet hands with warm waterWet hands with warm water• Lather up both hands with soapLather up both hands with soap• Scrub hands together for at least 20 Scrub hands together for at least 20

seconds (for children, choose a song seconds (for children, choose a song that last 20 seconds)that last 20 seconds)

• Rinse hands thoroughlyRinse hands thoroughly• Dry hands completelyDry hands completely Note: Alcohol-based handNote: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can substitute for soap and sanitizers can substitute for soap and

water.water.

Get a Yearly Flu Shot!Get a Yearly Flu Shot!• Helps protect against the flu for that Helps protect against the flu for that

seasonseason• Get the shot early in the season – in Get the shot early in the season – in

October or NovemberOctober or November• Recommended for people at high riskRecommended for people at high risk

Adults 50 and olderAdults 50 and older Children 6 – 23 months oldChildren 6 – 23 months old People with long-term conditions (diabetes)People with long-term conditions (diabetes) Women who will be pregnant during flu seasonWomen who will be pregnant during flu season People with weakened immune systems (HIV)People with weakened immune systems (HIV) People living in nursing homes or long-term People living in nursing homes or long-term

care facilitiescare facilities• Side effects of a shot are usually mildSide effects of a shot are usually mild• A nasal spray vaccine may be availableA nasal spray vaccine may be available

Treatment for Seasonal Flu Treatment for Seasonal Flu May Include:May Include:

• Staying home to avoid spreading it Staying home to avoid spreading it to othersto others

• Taking antiviral medication & follow Taking antiviral medication & follow doctor’s orders doctor’s orders

• Drinking lots of fluidsDrinking lots of fluids• Getting plenty of restGetting plenty of rest• Taking fever reducerTaking fever reducer

Home Care for Others with the Home Care for Others with the FLUFLU

• Keep the person away from othersKeep the person away from others• Follow health-care provider instructionsFollow health-care provider instructions• Give medications if prescribed and Give medications if prescribed and

availableavailable• Throw away used tissues immediatelyThrow away used tissues immediately• Wash or sanitize your hands oftenWash or sanitize your hands often• Avoid holding soiled laundry too closelyAvoid holding soiled laundry too closely

Stay Informed Stay Informed with Up-to-date Informationwith Up-to-date Information

• Keep track of what is going on in your Keep track of what is going on in your area and around the nationarea and around the nation

• Media will work with authorities on Media will work with authorities on current flu-related eventscurrent flu-related events

• Most reliable sources of information Most reliable sources of information are public health authorities and the are public health authorities and the government Web sites:government Web sites:

www.adph.orgwww.adph.org and and www.pandemicflu.govwww.pandemicflu.gov

• Local hotlines may be set upLocal hotlines may be set up

MRSAMRSA

Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureus

• ““Staph”Staph”• 30-50% of the population carries this 30-50% of the population carries this

bacteria on their bodiesbacteria on their bodies• ““Staph” is generally harmless until it Staph” is generally harmless until it

enters the body through a cut/woundenters the body through a cut/wound• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus

aureusaureus• Mutation & “Staph” bacteria that are Mutation & “Staph” bacteria that are

resistant to antibioticsresistant to antibiotics

MRSA looks like…MRSA looks like…

• Pimple/Boil/Ingrown Hair/Spider Pimple/Boil/Ingrown Hair/Spider BiteBite

– Red, swollen, painful, and/or drainageRed, swollen, painful, and/or drainage– Abscesses can formAbscesses can form– warmth around the infected sitewarmth around the infected site

Area beginning to become Area beginning to become infected (notice the infected (notice the

drainage)drainage)

Small Infection Small Infection

Infected boil on arm, Infected boil on arm, Notice the swelling around Notice the swelling around

the boilthe boil

How serious is MRSA?How serious is MRSA?

• The problem comes when antibiotics The problem comes when antibiotics are not effective against MRSA & are not effective against MRSA & the person can get sick very quickly the person can get sick very quickly due to the rapid multiplication of the due to the rapid multiplication of the bacteriabacteria

At Risk GroupsAt Risk Groups

• ChildrenChildren– Susceptible because immune systems is Susceptible because immune systems is

not fully developednot fully developed• AthletesAthletes

– High contact sports inevitably bring High contact sports inevitably bring about scrapes, cuts, & bruisesabout scrapes, cuts, & bruises

– The common scrape/cut must receive The common scrape/cut must receive prompt wound care to avoid potential prompt wound care to avoid potential infectioninfection

At Risk GroupsAt Risk Groups

Athletes are at a higher risk also due Athletes are at a higher risk also due toto– Athletic facilities are warm & humid Athletic facilities are warm & humid

(ideal place for bacteria to thrive) thus (ideal place for bacteria to thrive) thus infections have a higher potential of infections have a higher potential of leading to team outbreaksleading to team outbreaks

– Athletes’ immune system temporarily Athletes’ immune system temporarily lowers after a hard workoutlowers after a hard workout

When to see the doctorWhen to see the doctor

• Prompt medical attention is needed Prompt medical attention is needed forfor

– Any skin wound that leads to a fever or Any skin wound that leads to a fever or develops a blister, boil, redness, or develops a blister, boil, redness, or swellingswelling

– Unexplained fever, muscular pain, Unexplained fever, muscular pain, and/or fatigueand/or fatigue

Treatment of MRSATreatment of MRSA

• Physician prescribes antibiotics Physician prescribes antibiotics – Take medication exactly as prescribedTake medication exactly as prescribed– Do not share antibiotics with othersDo not share antibiotics with others– Do not save unfinished antibiotics to use at Do not save unfinished antibiotics to use at

another timeanother time

• Physician may drain/open the skin boil or Physician may drain/open the skin boil or abscessabscess– Only the physician should perform this procedure, Only the physician should perform this procedure,

otherwise it may lead to secondary infectionsotherwise it may lead to secondary infections

If other people you know or live with get the same If other people you know or live with get the same infection, tell them to go to the physicianinfection, tell them to go to the physician

Treatment of MRSATreatment of MRSA

• If severe infection may require If severe infection may require hospitalization and strong antibioticshospitalization and strong antibiotics– These antibiotics typically have severe These antibiotics typically have severe

side effects and must be given directly side effects and must be given directly into the veininto the vein

Prevention of MRSAPrevention of MRSA

• Hand washing with antibacterial Hand washing with antibacterial soap & water for at least 20 secondssoap & water for at least 20 seconds

• Using an alcohol-based hand Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequentlysanitizer frequently

• Remind children to bathe/shower at Remind children to bathe/shower at least once dayleast once day– Especially after workouts/contact with Especially after workouts/contact with

other childrenother children

More PreventionMore Prevention

• Remind children to avoid sharing:Remind children to avoid sharing:– Towels, sports equipment, combs, razors, Towels, sports equipment, combs, razors,

soap, brushes, combs, hair accessories, soap, brushes, combs, hair accessories, caps, clothing, lipstick, balms, moisturizers, caps, clothing, lipstick, balms, moisturizers, sleeping bags, and other items that touch sleeping bags, and other items that touch the skinthe skin

• Wash any open wound with soap & Wash any open wound with soap & water water

• Keep all wounds covered with a bandage Keep all wounds covered with a bandage that attaches to the skin on all sidesthat attaches to the skin on all sides

Guidelines for TeachersGuidelines for Teachers

• All cleaners, deodorizers, washing All cleaners, deodorizers, washing powders, etc. that have not been powders, etc. that have not been approved and provided by the Pike approved and provided by the Pike County Board of Education must be County Board of Education must be removed from the classroomremoved from the classroom

All-in-One CleanerAll-in-One Cleaner

• Spray BottleSpray Bottle• One in each classroomOne in each classroom• EPA approvedEPA approved• Kills:Kills:

– MRSA, Staph, Strep, Hepatitis, Flu, TB, MRSA, Staph, Strep, Hepatitis, Flu, TB, etc.etc.

Guidelines ContinuedGuidelines Continued

• Clean desks, tables, chairs, counter Clean desks, tables, chairs, counter tops, door knobs, faucet knobs, etc. tops, door knobs, faucet knobs, etc. with All-in-One Cleaner on a daily with All-in-One Cleaner on a daily basisbasis

• Spray area, let solution soak for 10 Spray area, let solution soak for 10 minutes, and then wipe with a minutes, and then wipe with a disposable paper toweldisposable paper towel

• Gloves are not necessary for Gloves are not necessary for cleaning.cleaning.

Guidelines ContinuedGuidelines Continued

• If child is suspected of having If child is suspected of having infection, please refer child to nurseinfection, please refer child to nurse

• If child has been released by his/her If child has been released by his/her physician to attend school and physician to attend school and child’s wound is covered by bandage child’s wound is covered by bandage (on all sides) then child is allowed to (on all sides) then child is allowed to stay at schoolstay at school

Information Obtained Information Obtained From:From:

• www.cdc.orgwww.cdc.org• www.adph.org/epiwww.adph.org/epi• www.mrsaawareness.comwww.mrsaawareness.com• www.righthealth.comwww.righthealth.com• www.mayoclinic.comwww.mayoclinic.com

AsthmaAsthma

Signs/Symptoms of Signs/Symptoms of Attack:Attack:

• Shortness of breath/wheezingShortness of breath/wheezing• Persistent coughPersistent cough• Anxious lookAnxious look• Nasal flaringNasal flaring• Chest tightness/painChest tightness/pain• Difficulty carrying on a conversation due Difficulty carrying on a conversation due

to difficulty breathingto difficulty breathing• Shallow, rapid breathingShallow, rapid breathing• Blueness of fingernails and lipsBlueness of fingernails and lips

What to Do??What to Do??

• Administer inhaler/nebulizer machine as Administer inhaler/nebulizer machine as prescribedprescribed

• -If administering 2 puffs, wait one minute -If administering 2 puffs, wait one minute between each puffbetween each puff

• Sit student in upright position in cool areaSit student in upright position in cool area• Reassure student & attempt to keep him/her Reassure student & attempt to keep him/her

calm and breathe slowly and deeply calm and breathe slowly and deeply • Student should respond to treatment in 15 Student should respond to treatment in 15

minutesminutes

If that doesn’t work…If that doesn’t work…

• *If no change or breathing becomes *If no change or breathing becomes significantly worse, contact parent significantly worse, contact parent and call 911 immediately*and call 911 immediately*

SeizureSeizure

Signs/Symptoms:Signs/Symptoms:

• An aura (a feeling that usually An aura (a feeling that usually happens before a seizure, example: happens before a seizure, example: funny smell, nausea, and abdominal funny smell, nausea, and abdominal symptoms)symptoms)

• Blank staringBlank staring• Chewing, fumbling, shaking, or Chewing, fumbling, shaking, or

confused speechconfused speech• Active seizures Active seizures

What to do?What to do?

• Call 911.Call 911.• Clear the surrounding area.Clear the surrounding area.• Assist the student to the floor and place in a Assist the student to the floor and place in a

side-lying position.side-lying position.• Protect the head. Do not place anything in Protect the head. Do not place anything in

the mouth.the mouth.• Call Parent.Call Parent.• Start timing the seizure. Do not leave the Start timing the seizure. Do not leave the

child alone. child alone.

Epi-PensEpi-Pens

Epi-PensEpi-Pens

• This medical condition could become life This medical condition could become life threatening and/or need immediate threatening and/or need immediate attention during the school day. attention during the school day.

• Anaphylaxis is a rare life-threatening Anaphylaxis is a rare life-threatening allergy to certain substances such as foods, allergy to certain substances such as foods, bee stings, chemicals, and/or medications.bee stings, chemicals, and/or medications.

• It occurs rapidly and can close off the It occurs rapidly and can close off the breathing passages. breathing passages.

• If instant treatment does not occur, it can If instant treatment does not occur, it can be fatal. be fatal.

Signs and symptoms of this Signs and symptoms of this condition (rapid onset): condition (rapid onset):

• Hives spreading over the body (itching)Hives spreading over the body (itching)• Dizziness/weaknessDizziness/weakness• Feelings of apprehensionFeelings of apprehension• Wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or Wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or

breathingbreathing• Swelling of face/neck, tingling or swelling Swelling of face/neck, tingling or swelling

of tongueof tongue• Signs of shock (extreme paleness/grey Signs of shock (extreme paleness/grey

color, clammy skin)color, clammy skin)• Loss of consciousnessLoss of consciousness

What to do in the event What to do in the event these signs and symptoms these signs and symptoms

occur:occur:• Administer Epi-Pen immediatelyAdminister Epi-Pen immediately• Pull off grey capPull off grey cap• Place black tip against upper outer thigh Place black tip against upper outer thigh

(at right angle to leg)(at right angle to leg)• Press hard into outer thigh, until it clicks Press hard into outer thigh, until it clicks

(may be administered through clothing)(may be administered through clothing)• Hold in place 10 seconds, and then Hold in place 10 seconds, and then

removeremove• Discard Epi-Pen in impermeable can. Do Discard Epi-Pen in impermeable can. Do

not return to holder.not return to holder.

Continued…Continued…

• Call 911 and notify operator that Call 911 and notify operator that Epi-Pen has been usedEpi-Pen has been used

• Notify parents Notify parents • Stay with student. Position child in Stay with student. Position child in

the most comfortable position for the most comfortable position for breathingbreathing

• Be prepared to initiate CPR if Be prepared to initiate CPR if breathing stops. breathing stops.

DiabetesDiabetes

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)Sugar)

• Causes: too little food, too much Causes: too little food, too much insulin/diabetes medicine, or extra activityinsulin/diabetes medicine, or extra activity

• Signs/Symptoms: shaking fast heartbeat, Signs/Symptoms: shaking fast heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, anxious, hunger, sweating, dizziness, anxious, hunger, impaired vision, weakness/fatigue, impaired vision, weakness/fatigue, headache, irritableheadache, irritable

• Treatment: eat/drink juice per doctor’s Treatment: eat/drink juice per doctor’s ordersorders

• Can become an emergency if not treated Can become an emergency if not treated promptly (seizures, coma, or death)promptly (seizures, coma, or death)

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)Sugar)

• Causes: too much food, too little Causes: too much food, too little insulin/diabetes medicine, illness, or insulin/diabetes medicine, illness, or stressstress

• Signs/Symptoms: extreme thirst, frequent Signs/Symptoms: extreme thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, hunger, blurred urination, dry skin, hunger, blurred vision, drowsiness, decreased healingvision, drowsiness, decreased healing

• Treatment: drink water/exercise per Treatment: drink water/exercise per doctor’s ordersdoctor’s orders

• Can lead to diabetic comaCan lead to diabetic coma

Important things to Important things to remember regarding remember regarding

DiabetesDiabetes• Child should always be allowed to Child should always be allowed to

check blood sugars when necessarycheck blood sugars when necessary• Child may have 504 planChild may have 504 plan• Student should always have a Student should always have a

partner while not in classroompartner while not in classroom• Frequent bathroom breaks and Frequent bathroom breaks and

snacks will be determined per snacks will be determined per doctor’s order/504 plandoctor’s order/504 plan

AEDAED

AEDAED

• Call 911Call 911• When to use an AED:When to use an AED:• Unresponsive when shaken, and not Unresponsive when shaken, and not

breathing normallybreathing normally• If in doubt, apply the padsIf in doubt, apply the pads• If your victim is in water or on a If your victim is in water or on a

metal surface then move the victim metal surface then move the victim to a safe placeto a safe place

Choosing Correct AED Choosing Correct AED PadsPads

• Adult pads are for adults and Adult pads are for adults and children 8 years old or 55 pounds or children 8 years old or 55 pounds or moremore

• Infant and children under 8 years Infant and children under 8 years old or up to 55 pounds old or up to 55 pounds

How to use the AED:How to use the AED:

• PULL up the green handle on the PULL up the green handle on the SMART PadsSMART Pads

• PLACE the pads on the patient’s bare PLACE the pads on the patient’s bare skin- as on picture on smart padsskin- as on picture on smart pads

• Follow exact instructions given by the Follow exact instructions given by the AED voice commandAED voice command

• Start CPR if instructed- you can use the Start CPR if instructed- you can use the information button (blue button “ i”) it information button (blue button “ i”) it will give you detailed instructions on will give you detailed instructions on performing CPRperforming CPR