JANUARY 23, 20247:30 AM ET from NPR.org https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2024/01/23/1226155791/why-diphtheria-is-making-a-comeback By Simar Bajaj The potentially fatal disease diphtheria is caused by bacteria — the club-shaped, Gram-positive, Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacilli shown in this microscope photo. CDC via AP It had been over 30 years since the last case of diphtheria was seen in Guinea. So when patients began showingContinue reading “Why diphtheria is making a comeback”
Tag Archives: cough
The Magic of Peppermints
Peppermint From the Mount Sinai blog: Mentha x piperita Peppermint (Mentha piperita), a popular flavoring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, is also used to soothe an upset stomach or to aid digestion. It has a calming and numbing effect, and is often used to treat headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, flatulence, and anxietyContinue reading “The Magic of Peppermints”
Assessment Basics: All About Fevers
Fevers are often a misunderstood symptom of illness. Why do we get them and what do we do about them? A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. It’s one part of an overall response from the body’s immune system. There are multiple reasons for fevers including infections, viruses, heat exhaustion, sometimes immunizations, andContinue reading “Assessment Basics: All About Fevers”
Important change to childhood immunization schedule: Pneumococcal
The 2024 ACIP immunization schedule for children and adolescents includes an important change regarding pneumococcal vaccine guidance. In addition to all children 2 – 23 months, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for children with moderate persistent or severe persistent asthma aged 2 to 18 years. Patients who are asthmatic and previously only vaccinated with PCV13 or PCV15 shouldContinue reading “Important change to childhood immunization schedule: Pneumococcal”
Fragrances, air fresheners and essential oils
I think most of us are guilty of wanting our environment to smell comforting, pleasant, relaxing or clean. I happen to love a good “clean cotton” scent or a medicinal healthy eucalyptus, others enjoy their favorite perfume or cologne as part of their morning routine… but is it appropriate in a school or healthcare setting?Continue reading “Fragrances, air fresheners and essential oils”
Can We Change This Narrative That Teachers Can’t Be Our Allies?
I’ve been watching a lot of posts on social media about school nurses being annoyed when the teachers suggest things that may be wrong with a student or suggest what they think the student needs. The complaints of teachers feeling foreheads and sending a student to have their temperature checked, teachers noting that a studentContinue reading “Can We Change This Narrative That Teachers Can’t Be Our Allies?”
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When Should You Send a Student Home?
A question I’ve seen asked by a few CSN’s recently is “How do I know when a student should be sent home versus sent back to class?” Is there a specific formula to make that decision? The short answer is no. Every situation is individual and every kid has different needs so what might sendContinue reading “When Should You Send a Student Home?”
Is It an Emergency: Covid -19 Edition.
Calling all the stressed out school nurses trying to navigate through the real emergencies, paperwork, screenings 504’s and IEP’s and minor injuries/illnesses! Are you inundated with kids who sneezed once or bumped themselves on a desk or door? Kids with loose teeth or dirty clothes? Now with the fabulous addition of Covid-19 to our workloadContinue reading “Is It an Emergency: Covid -19 Edition.”
Managing Colds and Viruses
*Sniff sniff…cough cough….* Get the tissues and the Vitamin C because it’s cold and flu season. It seems like it never ends with these kids – the snots and the coughing and the moaning. So what can we do about it? Should we send them to school? Should we send them to the school nurse?Continue reading “Managing Colds and Viruses”
School Nurse Headquarters 