River Oaks Elementary
Susan Shenker , Principal
2008 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77019
phone 713/942-1460
fax 713/942-1463
Office Hours 7:15am-4:30pm
After School Program
phone 713/524-8430
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Nurse Petner News
November 13, 2009
Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine: What You Need to Know
September 18, 2009
September 15, 2009
Flu Update from Nurse Petner
We are all coughing into our elbows and washing our hands every chance we get. We have had two presumed cases of flu that were not confirmed by culture.
If your child has flu-like symptoms (fever of 100 or above, body aches, sore throat, lack of appetite, weakness, headache, coughing or chills), we are asking you to keep them home. They may return to school when they are fever free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever-reducing medication. Student’s temperatures will be checked upon return to school.
The HISD Health Department is tracking cases in the district, so if your child is out with the flu (either seasonal or H1N1), please call or email me with the following info:
- Date of flu onset
- Was the child in school at the time of onset?
- Child’s name and DOB
- Parent’s name, Address, Zip, Phone
- Name and address of doctor
- Was case confirmed by a physician?
My email address is jpetner@houstonisd.org or you can reach me by calling the school.
September 1, 2009
CDC’s new flu guidance for schools applies to any flu virus circulating during the 2009-2010 school year, not only 2009 H1N1 flu. The new guidance recognizes the need to balance the risks of illness among students and staff with the benefits of keeping students in school.
Based on the current flu conditions, students and staff with flu-like illness must stay home at least 24 hours after they no long have fever or signs of fever. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). This is a shorter time period from the previous guidance which recommended that sick students and staff stay home 7 days after symptoms begin.
CDC and other public health agencies will be monitoring national data on the number of people who seek care for a flu-like illness as well as the geographic spread of flu-like illness in order to advise state and local agencies about the severity level of the flu.
Parents are advised to be prepared for care of their child with the flu for seven days if it is determined the flu has reached severe levels. For now, join us in teaching your child about hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers and about learning to not touch their t-zone (eyes, nose and mouth). Also, remind them to use a tissue for sneezing and coughing. If they don’t have a tissue, they can cough or sneeze into their elbow or shoulder, not their hands.
Signs and symptoms of the flu include fever (100°F or 37.8° C or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
January 27, 2009
The information about seasonal and pandemic flu is coming home today. We only have a few cases of seasonal flu—and no pandemic flu.
Also, Dental Health posters are due Feb 5th. The theme is “Turn Up Your Smile Power.” No commercial cutouts are allowed. The posters should be 12” x 18” and should have name, grade, school, and teacher written on the back.
January 20, 2009
We have had a couple of Influenza type A cases. It is not too late to get a fu shot. Usually, flu is the worst in February. Pamphlets are going home today about flu, pandemic flu and bird flu. They were provided by the Houston Dept. of Health and Human Services. We are not having a flu pandemic at this time.
Also, I wish to let you know that in recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, HISD is invited to participate in a poster contest sponsored by the Greater Houston Dental Alliance. Grades 1-5 may participate. This year’s theme is “Turning Up Your Smile Power.”
There will be two categories for entries. 1st-3rd grade is Category 1 and Category 2 will include 4th-5th grades. Posters may be in the form of a slogan, picture, or both and should depict the theme as illustrated in the student’s own creative style. (No traced, copied, or commercial cut-outs will be accepted.)
Each poster must be 12”x18”. White or gray art paper may be used as long as it is mounted on colored poster board of the specified size. The back of the entry should list: Student’s name, grade, school and teacher. Preliminary judging at the school will determine the first, second and third place winners in each category. Thursday, Feb 5th is the deadline for entries. –Jan Petner, RN jpetner@houstonisd.org
Bacterial Meningitis Frequently Asked Questions
What is meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but it requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.
What are the symptoms? Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also progress rapidly in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over one year old) and adults with meningitis may experience a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body.
How serious is bacterial meningitis? If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases, it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability.
How is bacterial meningitis spread? Fortunately, meningitis is not as contagious as diseases such as the common cold or the flu, and the bacteria that cause it are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or sharing drink containers, utensils, or cigarettes).
The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks, or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness.
How can bacterial meningitis be prevented? Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of people you kiss.
While there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in special circumstances. These include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or a person is traveling to a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85–90 per cent). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within seven to ten days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.
What should you do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis? Seek prompt medical attention.