Author: Admin

May 2009

Nurse’s Notes

Flu/Cold or Allergies?

Cough. Sneeze. Wheeze. You know the symptoms, but do you really know the cause? The similarities between symptoms of the flu/cold and nasal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis, indoor or outdoor allergies, seasonal allergies, or hayfever) can cause confusion.
Flu/Colds
A flu/cold is commonly caused by a virus. You can get a flu/cold from another person that has that virus, even though you may be in good health. This happens when you breathe in germs or come in direct contact with the infected person. To prevent yourself from getting a flu/cold, get a flu shot every year, frequently wash your hands, and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
Let a flu/cold run its course. Get rest, drink lots of fluids and eat healthy foods. Over-the-counter medications, like a decongestant or a nasal spray, can help relieve symptoms, but they do not cure your cold—only time can do that.
Allergies
Nasal allergies occur during exposure to an allergen, and your nasal cavity becomes irritated and inflamed. Unlike the flu/cold, allergies are not contagious. If you have a high temperature or body aches, it is most likely a flu/cold rather than allergies. Common indoor and outdoor allergens include tree, grass and weed pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold and cockroaches.
There is no cure for allergies, but there are prescription and over-the-counter medications for allergy symptoms. For some people, allergy shots, can help to reduce their sensitivity to allergens over time. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)

About Ticks

	Allergies	Flu/Cold
Symptoms	Runny nose (clear discharge), stuffed nose, violent sneezing, wheezing, coughing, watery and itchy eyes.	Runny nose (yellow discharge), aches and pains, sore and scratchy throat along with sneezing and coughing
Fever	No fever	May have fever
Warning	Symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure to allergens.	Usually takes a few days for symptoms to appear.
Duration	Symptoms last a long time, as long as you are exposed to the allergen. If the allergen is present all year long, symptoms can be chronic.	Symptoms should clear up within a few days to a week. Rarely lasts more than 10 days.

Ticks are bloodsucking, external parasites that feed on humans and other mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are totally dependent on the blood/tissue fluids of the host. Worldwide there are over 850 tick species, 100 of which are known to carry diseases. Ticks that transmit disease may be anywhere there is vegetation - woods, brushy areas, parks, seashore, and your backyard. Ticks can be active and biting year-round, depending on the weather. If an attached tick has noticeable engorgement, it probably has been attached long enough to transmit disease.
About Preventing Tick Bites
Avoid tick-infested areas, avoid sitting directly on the ground, and stay in the center of paths.
Wear light-colored long pants and long sleeves when you venture into grass, woods, garden, or beach areas so you can more easily see ticks.
Tuck shirt into pants and pants into socks.
Use EPA-approved tick repellents. Wash-off repellents when you return inside.
Do frequent tick-checks, including a naked full body exam upon returning inside.

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Note from Van Buren County Hospital and Clinics
Parents,
While your child is looking forward to summer break, we, at the clinics of Van Buren County, encourage you to be looking ahead to going back to school. With so many children needing sports physicals and back-to-school immunization updates, we encourage you to schedule early. These appointments can be done anytime throughout the summer. By scheduling early, you can ensure your child be seen at the date, time and clinic that is most convenient for you. All kindergarten immunizations need to be done at the Keosauqua clinic. Sports physicals can be done at any of our clinics with 2 days notice. All sports physicals are $20 and that payment is due at the time of service. Neither private insurance, nor Medicaid, covers this expense.
There are new recommendations for adolescent vaccines as well. Most will need the required tetanus booster. We also strongly recommend you consider the Hepatitis A series as well as the meningitis vaccine. Girls over the age of 11 should also consider starting the HPV (Gardasil) Series. If your child has no insurance, or your current insurance does not cover routine immunizations, vaccines are available through the State Health Department at no cost. If your child has received immunizations at another location, please bring those records with you to the appointment.
For questions regarding your child’s immunization status, please contact the Keosauqua clinic at 319-293-3171 and ask for extension #282. Have a great summer!

Sara Sprouse, RN, BSN

School Nurse
Van Buren Community Schools
503 Henry St.
Keosauqua, IA 52565

Phone:
Douds-641-936-4321
Keo-319-293-3183
Stockport-319-796-4414
E-mail: sara.sprouse@gpaea.k12.ia.us

About Removing Ticks
Ticks adhere tightly to the skin for two reasons. The tick’s mouthparts have reverse harpoon-like barbs that insert into the skin and they secrete an adhering, cement-like substance.
Use a fine-point tweezer to grasp the tick at the place of attachment, next to the skin.
Gently pull the tick straight out.
Place the tick in a small vial labeled with the date, person’s name, address, tick’s description (e.g. engorged, color), and estimated hours attached.
Wash your hands, then disinfect the tweezer and bite.
Call the doctor to decide if treatment is warranted.
Watch for indications of a tick-borne disorder.
Tick Removal Cautions
Teach kids to seek adult help for tick removal.
Do not prick, crush, or burn the tick as it may release infectious fluids or tissue.
Do not try to smother a tick (e.g. petroleum jelly, nail polish) as it has enough oxygen to complete feeding.
If you must use your fingers, use a tissue or leaf to avoid skin contact with the infected tick fluids.
About Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. One species of tick that carries this bacteria is the black-legged tick (formerly known as “deer” tick). Lyme disease accounts for 90% of vector-borne infections in the U.S.
Lyme disease diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms, with consideration given to other factors such as: exposure to endemic areas, history of tick bite, response to treatment, and test results. Lyme disease usually starts with flu-like symptoms of fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and fever, although, early symptoms may go unnoticed or quickly disappear. About 60% of light-skinned patients notice an enlarging rash days to weeks after a tick bite. Go to www.lyme.org for more information.
(Lyme Disease Foundation)

About Ticks (...continued)

Answers: 1.A, 2.B, 3.A, 4.B, 5 A, 6.C, 7.B, 8. C