Linden S.T.E.A.M. Academy Nurse’s Office

Phone: 781-397-1511
Email: lindennurses@maldenps.org

Nensi Salamurovic Cirkc,  Nurse

Julie Cardello, Nurse

5th Grade Physicals:

Massachusetts State Law requires that all 5th grade students have a physical examination on file!

Please be sure the nurse’s office has an updated physical for your 5th grader!

7th Grade Tdap!

Massachusetts state law requires that all students receive a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) if five years or more have passed since the last dose.

Please be sure the nurse’s office has documentation that your 7th grader has received their Tdap booster!

The Common Cold:

Usually the symptoms of the Common cold include:

Fatigue, runny nose, sneezing , sore throat, and a cough WITH mucous production

Not usual symptoms found with the common cold are:

Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting

The Flu:

Usually symptoms of the Flu include:

Fever, chills, headache, aches, nausea vomiting, a NON mucous production cough, chest discomfort

Less common symptoms of the Flu are:

Sore throat, sneezing, runny nose

YOUR CHILD MUST BE FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS IN ORDER TO RETURN TO SCHOOL!

Students in schools occasionally get head lice. This usually occurs in fall and spring, but can occur at any time. Please do not be alarmed, as this is a common occurrence. Head lice are not a sign of unclean people or homes.

Please take these precautions:
Check your child’s hair for eggs (also called nits) occasionally.
Tell us if your child has or is diagnosed as having head lice.
If your child has head lice, please treat it. Products are available over the counter.

TO RETURN TO SCHOOL—THERE MUST BE NO NITS.
If a student has lice and is sent home, they must see the nurse before returning.
Lice are tiny insects that live only on people’s scalp and hair. They hatch from
small eggs (nits) that are firmly attached to the individual hairs near the scalp and cannot be easily removed up or down the hair. They look like grains of sand. Nits may be found throughout the hair but are most often located at the back of the scalp, behind the ears, and at the top of the head. The eggs hatch in about 10 days. Until a person with head lice is treated, they can transmit them to others.
They are spread only by crawling from person to person directly or onto shared personal items, such as a hair brush, head coverings, clothing, bedding, or towels.

Clean personal items and surroundings:
Machine wash all washable and possibly infested items in HOT water. Dry them in a clothes dryer.
Put non-washable items (furry toys or pillows) in a HOT dryer for 20 minutes or dry-clean them.
Seal items that cannot be washed or dried in a plastic bag for 10 days (eggs/nits will die at this time.
Soak combs and brushes for 10 minutes, or wash them with a shampoo approved to kill lice.
Thoroughly vacuum rugs, upholstered furniture and mattresses.
Do not use insecticide sprays, as they are harmful to people and animals.

Your child can return to school when there are NO NITS!!!

Please be sure your child visits the nurse’s office before they head back to class!

THE TEACHER’S SPOT

What causes conjunctivitis?

Allergy is a common cause. For example, many people with hay fever (an allergy to pollen) have red and inflamed conjunctiva.

Irritant conjunctivitis sometimes occurs. For example, your conjunctiva may become inflamed after getting some shampoo in your eyes. .

Infection is another cause.

What is the treatment for common infective conjunctivitis?

• Not treating is a common option for mild or moderate infections. The tears contain chemicals that fight off bacteria. Without treatment, most cases of infective conjunctivitis clear on their own within 1-2 weeks, and often within 2-5 days. If symptoms get worse then see a doctor to check your eye and to see if you need treatment.
• Bathing the eyes with cool clean water may be soothing.
• Lubricant eye drops may reduce eye discomfort. These are available over the counter, as well as on prescription.
• An antibiotic eye drop or ointment may be prescribed in some cases. This tends to be for more severe cases, or for those that do not clear on their own.

Tips to prevent a pink eye outbreak:

• Wash your hands frequently, and encourage children to do the same.
• Soap should always be available.
• Encourage children to use tissues and cover their mouths and noses when they sneeze or cough.
• Discourage eye rubbing and touching, to avoid spread of bacteria and viruses.
• Use antiseptic solutions constantly to wipe common toys, table tops, drinking fountains, faucet handles, etc.