Messages from the School Nurse

Poison Ivy Treatment Poison ivy commonly causes skin rashes in children during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. An allergic reaction to the oil in these plants produces the rash. The rash occurs from several hours to three days after contact with the plant and begins in the form of […]

Medication Safety Tips Over 7,000 children visit the emergency department every year for problems related to medication reactions and errors in giving medication. Errors commonly involve pain and fever medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. In order to prevent these errors, safeguards must be put in place. – Keep medication […]

Spring Allergy Season Has Arrived Environmental/seasonal allergies should be suspected with repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms that last more than a week or two, or that develop at about the same time every year. These could include: * Runny nose * Nasal stuffiness * Sneezing * Throat clearing * Nose rubbing * […]

ANTIBIOTICS AREN’T ALWAYS THE ANSWER Many common infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are main drivers of resistance. Always take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop taking an antibiotic early without approval from your provider. Never save antibiotics for future illnesses, […]

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye) Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the thin tissue covering the white part of the eye. Bacteria and allergies are the most common causes. Allergic conjunctivitis is more common in the fall and the spring and bacterial conjunctivitis is more common during the winter months. Allergic conjunctivitis causes itching, […]

How to Feel Better!    Antibiotics aren’t always the answer! Try these tips for symptom relief. Sore Throat Soothe a sore throat with ice chips, sore throat spray, popsicles, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to young children) Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer Gargle with salt water […]

Preventing and Treating Ear Infections Ear infections can affect the ear canal or the middle ear. Infections that affect the ear canal are also called swimmer’s ear. Most common in winter are infections that affect the middle ear. One type occurs when fluid builds up in the middle ear without […]

Sore Throat or Strep Throat? When it’s a sore throat caused by a cold virus, you will often have other cold symptoms that may include: Runny nose Cough Red or watery eyes Sneezing Strep throat symptoms usually are more severe than a sore throat caused by a virus. They can include: […]

Vision and Hearing Screenings Vision and hearing screenings will be done at the end of October. Connecticut state law requires that all students enrolled in grades K, 1 and 3-5 undergo yearly vision and hearing screenings. The purpose of the program is to identify possible problems as early as possible. […]