Fighting off germs

A few sinus infections and a handful of stomachaches are nothing to worry about this time of year, say local school officials.

But it is a good time to become aware of preventive steps before the real cold and flu season arrives later this year.

With two weeks of school under their belts, area superintendents and school nurses report attendance rates have not been affected by viruses or illnesses, and that teachers and faculty are taking steps to keep students healthy and in the classroom.

"We're seeing nothing unusual or out of the ordinary for this time of year," Seymour Community Schools Superintendent Teran Armstrong said Monday afternoon.

Armstrong reported a few absences because of illness, but overall, attendance rates are good, she said.

"With the weather changes, we do get some sinus infection-type things, and with students going back to school and being in large groups again, there is a little bit of communicable illness going around," she said.

"A few stomach problems, but really nothing out of the ordinary or nothing to cause us to be alarmed," Armstrong added.

Seymour Community Schools head nurse Sherry Reinhart agreed.

"What I've been seeing the most of is allergies and sinus infections, nothing contagious," she said.

"We've had a couple of cases of strep throat, but we're not seeing anything major going around," Reinhart added. "Sometimes when a child gets sent home sick, parents talk to a few other parents with sick kids and they automatically think there's some big epidemic going around the schools, but that's not the case."

Joyce McKinney, the school nurse for Brownstown Central Community Schools, said she also is not seeing a dip in attendance because of illness.

"We have a few little things like cold symptoms, but nothing that is affecting our attendane," she said. "Getting back into the routine of school is hard on kids and a lot of time they aren't getting enough sleep or eating right."

Cold and flu season

With flu and cold season right around the corner, however, Reinhart said now is a good time to put good hygiene and healthy habits at the forefront of everyone's mind.

"Before the flu and cold season hits we want to remind students and faculty to practice good hand washing and hygiene," she said.

She also said parents can help keep their kids healthy and at school by making sure they get plenty of sleep at night and eat the right kinds of foods.

"Kids are so busy with school and sports right now that their bodies get worn down easily," Reinhart said. "They need to get eight to 10 hours of sleep each night and should be eating three meals a day. It's not always easy, but it helps at home and at school."

Reinhart said while at school, students and faculty are encouraged to use hand sanitizers and wash hands before and after they eat, go to the restroom or use a phone.

"We have hand sanitizers in all the classrooms, near the phones and in the cafeteria," she said.

The keys to a healthy school year are education and prevention, Reinhart added.

"We educate our students and staff on illness prevention," she said.

One way the school reaches kids with the message is through a video on germs and good hygiene.

"It shows the proper way to cover your mouth with your arm when coughing," she said. "And why it's important to wash your hands."

She also said the corporation offers free flu shots to all teachers and staff in order to prevent the influenza virus from making its way thorugh the schools.

McKinney said Brownstown emphasizes hand washing and provides hand sanitizer in every classroom to help prevent the spread of germs.

MRSA

Another concern during the school year is the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant staph infection.  

Indiana Department of Health reports MRSA is spread among people who have close contact with people who harbor the organism.

When a student with a MRSA infection is in the classroom, certain infection control measures should be in place, the state says, including:
Keeping infections, particularly those that produce pus or drainage, covered with clean, dry bandages. The student should follow the healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Bandages should be disposed of in a plastic bag.

Advising those who may have contact with the infected wound to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Reinhart said the school educates staff and students on how to prevent the spread of MRSA.

"It's a continous process that comes back to prevention," she said.

Staying healthy

Tips to stay healthy during the coming cold and flu season:

Avoid close contact with sick people and stay home when you are sick. 

Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 

Get plenty of sleep 

Drink plenty of fluids. 

 Manage your stress level, exercise regularly and eat healthful foods.

Source:  American Lung Association