Welcome to the MCS Health Office!


Carolyn Thibert RN                                                                                                          
School Nurse 
Morristown Central School 
315.375.8814  ext 21006 Fax 315.375.8604 or 315.375.4837
cthibert@mcsk12.org

"Hand hygiene is the most important measure to avoid the transmission of harmful germs."
World Health Organization                                                       


Mono 
Mononucleosis: 
Infectious mononucleosis, also called “mono”, is a contagious disease. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease. It is common among teenagers and young adults, especially college students.
At least one out of four teenagers and young adults who get infected with EBV will develop infectious mononucleosis.
For more information go to https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-mono.html.  or Copy the link to your browser.

Flu Season

Flu season has come early this year.  Watch for symptoms that come on rapidly with high fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and dry cough.  If your child is running a fever we ask that you do not send them back to school until their fever has stayed normal for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.  If you give them medicine and send them to school, you will probably get a call to pick your child up in 4 - 6 hours when the medication wears off.    
The number one prevention method is getting the Flu Shot.  However you may still get the Flu even if you get the shot, but it may be milder.  For the 2019-2020 season, the nasal spray is again available for those that fear the needles.  
Hand washing and covering coughs/sneezes with a tissue are the other best ways to protect yourself and others from both colds and the flu.   

Copy this link to your browser for more information.  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/flu-guide-for-parents-2018.pdf

Head Lice don't hibernate.
 
Winter is an active time for head lice outbreaks as children have more close contact - often sharing coats, scarves, and hats with one another. Effective prevention and treatment can help you be prepared...

The most common head lice symptom is an itchy scalp, but that’s only if the person is allergic to head lice saliva. Some people feel a tickling sensation, as if something is moving in their hair. Others may have trouble sleeping, as lice are most active in the dark. Head lice are often mistaken as dandruff. An easy way to tell the difference is that dandruff can easily be removed from the hair shaft with your fingers, while nits will stay put.

Common Questions and Answers
Question: I’ve heard home remedies can kill lice. Can’t I use mayonnaise or a homeopathic shampoo?
Answer:   There is no clear scientific evidence to show that home remedies are effective. The last thing you want to do is to let head lice linger, as they are so easy to pass from person to person. It is best to consult your doctor right away to get appropriate care.  There are a number of available treatments that are safe and and some do not require nit combing.  However combing out all nits and live lice is effective but you have to get them ALL.

Question: Can I use an overthe-counter medication to treat head lice?
Answer:   While over-the-counter medications have been used for years, there have been recent reports that head lice may be resistant to them. A 2016 study showed that 48 states have head lice that may not respond to commonly used over-the-counter treatments.Treatment failure may also be caused by incorrect use of the product, misdiagnosis of the original condition, or re-infestation. That is why it is important to talk with your family doctor right away to get a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment recommendation.

Question: Does my whole family need to be treated for head lice?
Answer:   Head lice are easily transferred from person to person. All household members and other close contacts (including friends or relatives who have recently been to your home) should be checked for head lice. Anyone with signs of an active infestation should be treated right away.

If you suspect your child has head lice, the best way to make sure is to get a diagnosis from your family doctor. Your doctor can recommend effective treatment options for you. 




2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR

When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations?

New York State Dept. of Health Web site has published the Immunization requirements for school attendance by grade levels.  The chart can be found at www.health.ny.gov


Highlights:

For Kindergarten: 5th dose of DTaP vaccine
                               4th dose of Polio vaccine
                               2nd dose of MMR and Varicella vaccines

For Grade 6: 2nd Varicella vaccine and Tdap booster 
    
For Grade 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12: Meningitis vaccine.  NOTE - For grade 12, your child needs a booster dose if prior dose(s) were received before age 16.

Immunizations can be obtained from your healthcare provider and from the St. Lawrence Co. Public Health clinic in Canton NY.  

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT AT (315) 386-2325 [9:00-3:30pm]

Clinics are usually held every Wednesday at the Human Services Center in Canton.

DOH issues emergency vaccination rule leading into the new school year

By Shannon Young

09/04/2019 01:42 PM EDT

ALBANY — State health officials issued an emergency regulation Wednesday aimed at getting children vaccinated against the measles virus ahead of the 2019-2020 school year as part of New York's broader effort to keep the disease under control during a monthslong outbreak.

The new rule, published in the State Register, proposes to align immunization requirements with national regulations and guidelines, while building on recent changes the state made to when and how medical exemptions may be granted to New York students after the Legislature repealed religious exemptions in June.

The emergency rule, which will expire on Nov. 13, clarifies that medical exemptions can only be granted if a physician determines that a specific immunization "may be detrimental to the child's health" consistent with guidance from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Those reasons must be documented in the New York State Immunization Information System and physicians must fill out medical exemption forms used by the state Department of Health or the New York City Department of Education, according to the new rule.

"By providing clear, evidence-based guidance to physicians, this regulation will help prevent medical exemptions being issued for non-medical reasons," DOH stated in its filing.

Children attending New York schools or daycare facilities this fall must get their first age-appropriate dose in each immunization series within the first 14 days of the 2019-2020 school year, according to state health officials. Parents must also have scheduled follow-up vaccination appointments within 30 days of the first day of school for their child to remain in the classroom.

The department will accept public comment on the emergency rule for 60 days. Officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the filing.

The regulation also added a definition of laboratory confirmation of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella infections and expanded the definition of immunity to include laboratory confirmation against these diseases. It went on to clarify the grades covered by the varicella, poliomyelitis and vaccine interval requirements, as well as states that positive serologic tests submitted to New York schools prior to Sept. 1, 2019, may be accepted as evidence of poliomyelitis vaccination. However, it notes that those submitted on or after Sept. 1 may not be accepted.

Opponents challenging the law that ended New York's religious exemption from school vaccination requirements have raised concerns that the emergency regulations announced last month will make it harder to obtain legitimate medical exemptions and could force thousands of families to choose between homeschooling their kids or moving out of the state.

In New York, 4,571 students in public, private and parochial schools, child care centers, nursery schools and pre-kindergarten programs had medical exemptions to one or more required immunizations as of the 2017-18 school year, the latest available data from DOH.

By contrast, 26,217 New York students had religious exemptions to one or more immunizations required for school in the 2017-18 school year.

Although New York City declared on Tuesday that its 11-month measles outbreak is over, with 654 cases reported since October 2018, the rest of the state has yet to announce an end to its broader outbreak.



New York State Ed. requirement grades for Physical Exams.  


Copies of exam completed by your child's healthcare provider are now required for:

Students entering the school district for the first time, and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.  As Well as 
• to participate in strenuous physical activity, such as interscholastic athletics
• upon student's request for an employment certificate
• when conducting an initial evaluation or reevaluation of a student suspected of having a disability or a student with a disability 

A Dental Certificate is requested but NOT required for the same grades as above.  A list of Dental Providers that provide services at a reduced rate is available.  Contact the School Health Office.

Communication between private and school health staff is important for safe and effective care at school. Your healthcare provider may not share health information with school health staff without your signed permission. Please talk to your providers about signing their consent form for the school at the time of your child’s appointment for the examination.  


 

The district’s School Health Services program supports your student’s academic success by promoting health in the school setting.  One way that we provide care for your student is by performing the health screenings as mandated by the State of New York.  During this school year, the following screenings will be required or completed at school:

Vision

  • Distance and near acuity for all newly entering students and students in Pre-K or Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11.
  • Color perception screening for all newly entering students.

Hearing

  • Hearing screening for all newly entering students and students in Pre-K or Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11.

Scoliosis

  • Scoliosis (spinal curvature) screening for all girls in grades 5 and 7, and boys in grade 9.

A letter will be sent home if there are any findings on the screening done at school that would cause concern or need medical follow-up.  Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns.