Timmerman Nurse's Office
Diane Spellings, BSN, R.N.
diane.spellings@pflugervilleisd.net
Office: (512) 594-4235
Fax: (512) 594-4205
Hours: 07:20 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
The nurse's office has seen a dramatic rise in the number of students affected by springtime pollens and allergens causing asthma symptoms. Here is some helpful information concerning asthma.
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a disease of the lungs and airways. There is inflammation or swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes and constriction (tightening) of the muscles around the airways, causing the inside of the airway tubes to be narrower. As a result, you may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough and wheezing. Some people also cough up phlegm (mucus) as well.
Asthma is often put into categories or groups based on the triggers or situations that cause asthma symptoms. Asthma is often categorized as allergic, non-allergic, nocturnal, exercise induced and occupational to name a few. But no matter what type of asthma you may have, the right treatment plan may help prevent symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the right plan for you.
WHAT TRIGGERS AN ASTHMA ATTACK?
People with asthma can be sensitive to a number of "triggers". When exposed to something they are sensitive to, the person with asthma may have a worsening of their usual asthma symptoms. Some of these triggers include:
- Respiratory viruses, especially the common cold virus
- Smoke (tobacco, wood)
- Dust (including microscopic house dust mites)
- Pet allergens (cat, dog, bird, and rodent)
- Cockroaches
- Pollens (trees and grasses in spring, weeds and ragweed in fall, cedar in the winter)
- Molds, mildew and fungi (indoor and outdoor)
- Exercise
- Cold air
- Emotions (laughter, crying, stress)
- Strong odors (perfumes, cleaning solutions, scented soaps, hairspray, deodorant, after-shave)
- Foods and medications (rare cause of asthma)
Allergic asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen or pet dander. If you have allergic asthma, you probably have a personal and/or family history of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, and/or eczema (a skin problem resulting in itching, a red rash, and sometimes small blisters).
Keep in mind that one form of allergic asthma is seasonal asthma, which usually affects people in the spring or early autumn. For example, you may find that your asthma is worse in the spring when there is an increase in flowering plants, while others find their asthma is worse in the late summer or early fall due to ragweed or mold from leaves on trees.
IS ASTHMA CONTAGIOUS?
Asthma is not a contagious disease. However, it does seem to be influenced by genes. In other words, if a member of your family has asthma, you are more likely to have asthma. There are quite a few other risk factors which affect the severity of asthma. These factors can vary depending on whether you are a child or an adult.
CAN ASTHMA BE CURED?
Although some children seem to "outgrow" their asthma, asthma cannot be cured. Avoiding the triggers that may cause asthma symptoms will also help alleviate the frequence of asthma attacks. However, there are medications that can control it and minimize symptoms. These fall into two main groups: medications that control the inflammation of the airways, and medications that relieve symptoms.
LONG TERM CONTROL MEDICATIONS
These medications need to be taken every day as ordered by your physician, regardless of whether you do or do not have symptoms. They decrease the inflammation in the airways. It may take months for you to notice their effect on your symptoms. Before you stop using the controller medication, you should speak with your doctor or nurse. Controller medications should not be used in an acute attack. Examples of controller medications are inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, long -acting bronchodilators and inhaler non-steroid medications.
QUICK RELIEF (RESCUE) MEDICATIONS
These medications are used to treat acute attacks or relieve symptoms. Your reliever medication should be available at all times. They work quickly, but their effects only last 3-4 hours. Examples of "rescue inhalers" are xopenex, albuterol , proventil, ventolin and proair.
The most important thing you can do to help prevent asthma symptoms is to follow your treatment plan that your doctor provides. But minimizing asthma triggers can also be a big help. Asthma can become a life-threatening situation. If a quick-relief rescue inhaler does not relieve symptoms you should contact your physician for instructions or call 911.
Important FDA Safety Recall of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution
Health Status Of Student | Medications | Immunization Requirements | Screenings | Links
Health Status Of Student
Pflugerville ISD policy concerning the health status of students can be found in the student handbook. A synopsis is provided below. In general, ill children should not come to school or should go home if they come to school when ill or become ill while at school.
A student may be sent home because of a health need if he/she:
- Appears ill and is unable to do class work.
- Is suspected of having a contagious disease/condition.
- Sustains an injury which needs medical attention or close observation.
- Has active head lice.
- Exhibits vomiting and diarrhea during school hours.
- Has a fever of 100.4 or greater ( a student may not return to school until fever free for 24 hours off of fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin)
So that each student's record can be kept current and accurate, it is necessary that any major change (illness, accident or surgery) be reported. For new students this can be done at the time of registration by completing the "Health History" form.
- If the student is restricted or limited in any way due to illness or accident, a note from the doctor at the time of the student's return to school is required.
- If you keep your child home due to an illness please be sure to send a note of explanation with a parent signature when they return to school.
Medications
Prescription and over-the counter medication can be given at school if it is deemed necessary that medication be given during school hours. No herbal or homeopathic medications or vitamins may be given at school. Students may not self-administer medications. Prescription medication must be in its original container with the student's name on the prescription label. The medication must be current. A permit to administer medication must be on file and must include:
- Student name
- Name of medication
- Amount and time to be given
- Discontinue date
- Parent/Guardian signature
Click on link to obtain form:
2012-2013 Medication Administration
The parent's instruction for administration cannot be in conflict with the prescription label. Over-the-counter medication that is kept at school for the entire year needs to have a physician note attached and the condition specified for which the medication is needed.
Immunization Requirements
2012-2013 Minimum State Immunization Requirements for Pre-kindergarten - 5th grade.
Vaccines:
- DTaP: Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- IPV: Inactivated Poliovirus
- Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines combined
Hep B: Hepatitis B vaccine
Hep A: Hepatitis A vaccine
Varicella: chicken pox vaccine
PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
DTaP: 5 doses or 4 doses- 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, on dose must have been received on or after the 4th birthday. However, 4 doses meet the requirement if the 4th dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. For students aged 7 years and older, 3 doses meet the requirement if one dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. For Pre-K- 4 doses required.
Polio: 4 doses or 3 doses - 4 doses of polio vaccine, one dose must have been received on or after the 4th birthday. However, 3 doses meet the requirement if the 3rd dose was received on or after the 4th birthday. For Pre-K- 3 doses required.
MMR: The first dose of MMR must be received on or after the 1st birthday. For K and 1st grade, 2 doses of MMR are required. For 2nd- 5th grade the requirement is 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine and one dose each of rubella and mumps vaccine. For Pre-K - 1 dose required on or after the 1st birthday.
Hepatitis B: 3 doses required.
Varicella: For PreK-3rd grade 2 doses required. For 4th-5th grade - 1dose required. The first dose of varicella must be received on or after the first birthday.
Hepatitis A: For grades PreK-3rd grade - 2 doses are required. The first dose of Hepatitis A must be received on or after the first birthday.
PCV: For Pre-K - a complete series is considered to be one of the following scenarios
- At least 3 doses with one dose on or after 12 months of age
- 2 doses with both doses on or after 12 months of age
- 1 dose on or after 24 months of age
Hib- a complete series is considered to be one of the following scenarios
- One dose of any HIB vaccine given at or after 15 months of age.
- 2 doses and a booster on or after 12 months of age, received at least two months after the last dose
If your child travels out of the country for 3 or more weeks, a TB test may be required before reentry into school.
Screenings
In accordance with State Law, periodic hearing and vision screenings will be provided for students who are new to Texas schools and those in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. In addition screening for acanthosis nigricans is also provided to 1st, 3rd and 5th grade students.
Scoliosis screenings are required for 5th grade girls.
Helpful Information:
What to do with expired medicine?????
Is your medicin
e cabinet filled with expired drugs or medications you no longer use? Are you wondering what a safe way to dispose of them is? Then keep reading.
Follow any specific disposal instructions on the drug label or patient information that accompanies the medication. Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet unless this information specifically instructs you to do so.
If no instructions are given on the drug label and no take-back programis available in your area,throw the drugs in the household trash, but first:
Take them out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through your trash.
- Put them in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
Before throwing out a medicine container, scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to make it unreadable. This will help protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information.
- Do not give medications to friends. Doctors prescribe drugs based on a person's specific symptoms and medical history. A drug that works for you could be dangerous for someone else.
- When in doubt about proper disposal, talk to your pharmacist.