Flu Season and
It’s never too late for the flu shot. The ideal time is in the late Fall but if you’ve avoided the flu so far, getting one in January or February is OK too. It takes about 2 weeks for the flu shot to take effect. It takes that much time for the body to create the immune properties that will help the body reject the flu.
Can you get the flu after getting the shot? – yes it’s possible, but a MUCH milder case.
Can you get the flu FROM the flu shot? – NO – it is a dead virus.
Who should get the flu shot? Well, ideally, everyone. But some folks are allergic to the egg that the flu serum is grown in. Anyone allergic to eggs should avoid the flu shot.
The flu can be deadly to certain groups of people. The very, very young, ages 6 to 23 months, and folks who are 65 years or older are very vulnerable to the flu. Adults and children with chronic health conditions – heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, cancer, and other chronic disorders are at risk when the flu hits. It’s also important that the caregivers of the “at risk” people are immunized as well.
The more people who get the flu shot leaves fewer people to get the flu and pass it around. It’s a responsible action to take for yourself and for your community.
How to Prevent the flu
Avoid close contact – with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others.
Stay home when you are sick
Cover your mouth and nose – with a tissue, or if none available at the moment, into the crook of your elbow (not your hands)
Clean your hands – hand washing is a #1 disease inhibitor
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – each of these sites are a great portal of entry for germs
Stay physically fit – get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink water, and eat good food.
Medications at School
State Law says that NO medication may be taken at school without a doctor’s order and parent signature. That includes over-the-counter medicines that we pick up at the local pharmacy or grocery store.
Tylenol, Tums, and Advil – we have a standing order from our school doctor.
That takes care of the doctor order but we still need the parent’s signature. Forms can be picked up in the nurse’s office and when signed by a parent, the child can have these medications when needed.
Tylenol can be given to both boys and girls for headaches or general discomfort but the Advil can only be given to the girls specifically for menstrual cramps. That is how our doctor’s orders are written and we are bound by that restriction. Medications are dispensed from the nurse’s supply. No medication will be given out if the authorization is not signed by the parent. Phone authorization is not accepted.
Prescription medications and any over the counter medications that your personal doctor wants the student to receive, must have a signed medication order, signed by both doctor and parent, and on file in the nurse’s office.
Suggestion: Kids with braces or any extreme dental work might benefit by getting a medication order for discomfort from your dentist or orthodontist. Each time that the braces are tightened, the next day is usually a bit uncomfortable.
Remember – no Midol, no cold medicines, no allergy meds, no any kind of medication, no matter how simple or common may be taken without a doctor’s order.
Please see the Download Center for the medication form.
Tenth Grade Physicals – Due before the start of the tenth grade school year.
They must be in before a student will be allowed to enter the 10th grade. This is State Law so Bloomfield can’t alter this rule. Also, if you move to another town, the same rule applies. Remember, it is state law.
Confused about Sports Physicals?
Our Bloomfield policy says that a sports physical must be done within 13 months of playing a sport. As soon as this nurse’s office gets a roster of possible players, a check is made to see who needs updates. If a student does not have a current physical and school emergency card on file, he/she will not be allowed to play.
How does that apply to 10th grade physicals?
Tenth grade physicals do cover sports. Sports physicals do not cover for the 10th grade physical. Why? Because the sports physical is a brief sports related check; whereas the full physical for 10th grade is much more comprehensive.
Please see the Download Center for health assessment form, HUSKY application, and immunization requirements
All 9th graders will have a vision test. During the first screen, if a concern is raised, a second screen will be done. If the second screen shows concerns, a vision referral will be sent to the parents.
The parents are responsible for bringing their child to an eye specialist to assess the need for correction.