Back to School - JASE Medical

Common Back to School Illnesses

The Importance of Timely Antibiotic Intervention

Diligent hygiene is key to preventing most illnesses kids get, but when that’s not enough, medication intervention is common and recommended.

10 Most Common Back to School Illnesses & Physician Recommended Medications

As kids go back to school for the year, most parents expect them to bring home empty lunch boxes, homework, and permission slips, but inevitably they will also bring home an illness. While these illnesses are usually mild, they can often lead to missed school days for your child and missed work days for the caretaker as well as the potential for other people in the family to get sick.

As you prepare new clothes and school supplies for your child, make sure you and your family are also prepared for the sick season as it approaches. Make sure to discuss and emphasize frequent and appropriate hand washing, discourage sharing food/drinks, avoid touching your face, and cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow if you sneeze or cough, etc. In addition to these basic hygiene measures, consider stocking your medicine cabinet and acquiring a Jase Case* for yourself and your children so you are prepared when illness occurs.

*Always discuss with a medical provider prior to taking any prescription medications. Not all medications listed below are available in all cases and may not be appropriate in all situations.

| Each year about 3 million kids aged 5-17 miss 15 or more school days due to health-related reasons. |

Common Cold

This is one of the most frequent illnesses children get at schools. Colds are caused by different viruses that are easily spread through close-contact environments, like schools and daycares. While there is no cure for the common cold, you can use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or cough medications (if age appropriate for your child) to help manage symptoms like fever, body aches, headaches, and cough. Reminder: children should avoid taking Aspirin as it can lead to a rare, but serious condition known as Reye’s disease.

Medications available in the Jase Case: acetaminophen, ibuprofen

Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

The stomach flu (not to be confused with influenza, or flu) is also caused by a virus that can spread rapidly through schools and families. Symptoms of the stomach flu usually include nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. There is also no cure for this illness but symptoms can be managed with rest, fluid and electrolyte replenishment, and over-the-counter and prescription medications depending on symptoms.

Medications available in the Jase Case: loperamide, ondansetron

Strep Throat

Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms are usually swollen tonsils, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and occasionally abdominal pain. Since this illness is caused by a bacteria, strep needs an antibiotic for treatment after the diagnosis has been confirmed by a medical provider.

Medications available in the Jase Case: amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, azithromycin, cephalexin, clindamycin

Influenza (flu)

Influenza, or the “flu”, is caused by a virus that is easily spread in close-contact areas. Common symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, and fatigue. There is no cure for this illness, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are often used to help manage symptoms as needed. A prescription medication is also available to help shorten the length of this illness and decrease some complications in high risk individuals.

Medications available in the Jase Case: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, oseltamivir

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye is a common eye condition that can be caused by either bacteria or virus. Oftentimes symptoms of pink eye are mild and include eye redness, discharge, itchiness, and mild swelling. Despite the cause, this illness is often very contagious and requires missing school or work until symptoms are improved or you have been on medication for at least 24 hours. While it is often difficult to tell the difference between a viral and bacterial cause of this illness, many times an antibiotic eye drop is given.

Medications available in the Jase Case: ofloxacin eye drops

Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease (HFMD)

HFMD is caused by a highly infectious virus and can affect adults and children of all ages, although it is most common in children under 5. This illness causes blister-like sores in and around the mouth and a rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes buttock area in younger children. It is common for the lesions in the mouth to be painful and for a child to refuse eating or drinking due to pain. Most times the lesions on the body are not itchy or painful for the child. While there is no treatment for HFMD, over-the-counter medications and other home remedies (like sucking on popsicles to ease the throat/mouth pain and encourage hydration) can help manage the symptoms.

Medications available in the Jase Case: acetaminophen, ibuprofen

Head Lice

Lice are tiny parasites that live in hair. Although a lice infection is alarming, it is not dangerous. Some people may not experience any symptoms from lice, while others will note excessive scalp itchiness. Adult lice are not always seen on scalp inspection, but the eggs they lay (called nits) attached to hair follicles are always evident in someone who has contracted lice. Treatment for lice includes medicated shampoos that kill lice and manual removal of the nits using a special fine-tooth comb. Oral medication is also available for certain people as well. Clothing, bedding, and soft toys should also be decontaminated to avoid further spread.

Medications available in the Jase Case: ivermectin, permethrin

Chickenpox

Chickenpox, or varicella, is caused by a highly infectious virus. Since the introduction of the varicella vaccination, outbreaks of chickenpox have decreased, but they can still occur. Children who are unvaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Chickenpox causes an itchy, blistery rash but can also have fever, sore throat, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and body aches. There is no cure for this illness, but oral and topical over-the-counter medications and creams, as well as other home remedies like oatmeal baths, can be used to help with symptoms or discomfort and itch. Prescription antiviral medications are available to help shorten this illness for adults or other people at high risk of complications but are rarely used in children.

Medications available in the Jase Case: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, loratadine, valacyclovir

Mononucleosis (Mono)

Mononucleosis, also known as “mono” or the “kissing disease”, is caused by the highly contagious Epstein-Barr virus. It is spread by saliva, through kissing, sharing drinks, sneezing, coughing, etc. Symptoms are often similar to flu or strep throat and include fever, sore throat, fever, and muscle aches. There is no treatment for mono, but over-the-counter medications are used to help manage symptoms.

Medications available in the Jase Case: acetaminophen, ibuprofen

Eczema

While eczema is not transmissible between people, it is a common skin condition in many school aged children. Eczema is a type of dermatitis, or skin inflammation, that causes the skin to become itchy, dry, and bumpy. Eczema triggers can vary from person to person, but common triggers include new soaps, detergents, or other chemicals, weather changes, certain fabrics, and stress. While eczema rarely causes school absences, it can be uncomfortable, and is easily treated with avoidance of the trigger and a steroid cream.

Medications in the Jase Case: triamcinolone cream

In conclusion:

Most of us already know that as children return to school, they often bring home more than just homework—they frequently catch and spread illnesses. Despite usually being mild, these conditions can still disrupt family routines and lead to missed school and work days.

To help you combat the illnesses that kids inevitably come home with every school year, we have put together a customized Jase Case containing medications to treat all of the most common back to school illnesses.

Explore the customized Back to School Jase Case HERE

Add all Jase physicians recommended medications to your order and you can customize it further to your exact needs!

As always, stay safe, stay healthy and stay prepared.

– Your partners in preparedness: Jase.com

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A Healthy Head Start: Preparing Your Child for a Thriving School Year

Healthy kids make happy learners.

A Healthy Head Start: Preparing Your Child for a Thriving School Year

As summer draws to a close, it’s time to shift our focus to the upcoming school year. Preparing your child for back-to-school goes beyond new backpacks and school supplies; it’s about ensuring their overall health and wellness. This guide will help you navigate the transition, setting your child up for a successful and healthy academic year.

1. Physical Health Preparations

Sleep Schedules: Quality sleep is crucial for learning and overall health. Gradually adjust your child’s sleep schedule to match school-year routines. Start shifting bedtimes and wake-up times earlier about two weeks before school starts. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night, depending on your child’s age. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a book together or listening to calm music, and limit screen time before bed to improve sleep quality.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition fuels both body and mind. Establish healthy eating habits now to carry into the school year. Plan balanced meals and snacks, focusing on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Consider involving your child in meal planning and preparation to encourage healthy choices and teach valuable life skills. Prepare healthy after-school snacks in advance to avoid relying on processed foods when time is tight.

Physical Activity: Regular exercise is essential for physical health and cognitive function. Maintain regular physical activity, aiming for at least 60 minutes daily. This could include outdoor play, organized sports, dance classes, or family activities like bike rides, hikes, or swimming. Encourage a mix of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility work. Remember, physical activity can also be a great way to relieve stress and improve mood.

| About 3 million children (or 5.8% of school children overall) missed at least 15 days of school in 2022 for health-related reasons |

2. Mental and Emotional Wellness

Addressing Anxiety: It’s normal for children to feel anxious about returning to school. Create an open, supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their concerns. Talk openly about what they’re looking forward to and what might be worrying them. Validate their feelings and help them develop coping strategies, such as deep breathing exercises, positive self-talk, or visualization techniques. If anxiety seems severe or persistent, consider consulting a mental health professional.

Building Resilience: Resilience is a crucial life skill that helps children navigate challenges. Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort over results. Help your child understand that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth. Set achievable goals together and break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Share stories of how you’ve overcome obstacles in your own life to model resilience.

Establishing Routines: Predictable routines can provide a sense of security and reduce stress. Create consistent daily routines, including homework time, family meals, and bedtime rituals. Use visual schedules for younger children to help them understand and follow the routine. Be flexible when needed, but try to maintain overall consistency. Include some downtime in the routine for relaxation and free play.

3. Social Health

Reconnecting with Friends: Social connections are vital for children’s well-being. Arrange playdates or video calls with classmates before school starts to help your child reconnect socially. If your child is entering a new school, see if you can attend any orientation events or meet-and-greets to familiarize them with their new environment and potentially meet new classmates.

Discussing Social Expectations: Have open conversations about school rules, appropriate behavior, and how to interact positively with peers and teachers. Role-play different social scenarios to help your child practice responses. Discuss concepts like empathy, kindness, and inclusion. Address any concerns about bullying and make sure your child knows how to seek help if needed.

4. Academic Readiness

Gradual Reintroduction of Learning Activities: Ease back into academic mode by incorporating light learning activities into your daily routine. Read together daily, choosing books on topics that interest your child. Practice math skills through games, cooking activities, or real-world applications like calculating tips or discounts. Engage in educational outings to museums, nature centers, or historical sites to spark curiosity and learning.

Setting Realistic Goals: Help your child set achievable academic and personal goals for the year ahead. This can boost motivation and self-confidence. Use the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to guide goal-setting. Regularly review and adjust goals as needed, celebrating progress along the way.

5. Health and Safety Measures

Comprehensive Health Check-ups: Schedule a visit with your pediatrician for a thorough health assessment before the school year begins. This check-up can help identify any potential health concerns and ensure your child is in optimal health for learning and growth. Discuss any changes in your child’s health, behavior, or development since their last visit. Don’t hesitate to bring up any concerns, no matter how small they may seem.

Preventive Care: Talk with your healthcare provider about any necessary preventive measures or screenings appropriate for your child’s age and health history. This might include discussions about nutrition, physical activity, sleep habits, and mental health.

Vision and Hearing Tests: Consider having your child’s vision and hearing checked, as these can significantly impact learning ability and classroom performance. Many learning difficulties can be traced back to undiagnosed vision or hearing problems. If your child already wears glasses or uses hearing aids, ensure they’re in good condition and the prescription is up-to-date.

Dental Health: Oral health is an important part of overall wellness. Schedule a dental check-up if it’s been a while since your child’s last visit. Discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques, and consider protective measures like sealants if recommended by your dentist.

Hygiene Practices: Reinforce good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of common illnesses in school settings. Teach proper handwashing techniques, including washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Practice covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or the elbow. Emphasize the importance of not sharing personal items like water bottles, utensils, or hygiene products.

Emergency Information: Update the school and any caregivers with current emergency contact information and any changes in your child’s health status or medications. If your child has any allergies or chronic health conditions, ensure that the school has a clear action plan in place.

Medication Supply: Consider having your own supply of emergency pediatric medications on hand for your child, for instances where getting to your doctor is difficult or impossible—such as family trips, or power outages and natural disasters. Learn more about the medications offered in the KidCase.

By taking a holistic approach, you can help your child start the school year feeling confident, healthy, and ready to learn. Remember, every child is unique, so tailor these suggestions to your child’s individual needs and consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice. With thoughtful preparation, you can set the stage for a successful and healthy school year.

– Your partners in preparedness: Jase.com

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After School and Home Alone – Do Your Children Know What to do in an Emergency?

As summer winds down and focus on starting a new school year is right around the corner, many parents and children are getting ready- adjusting bedtimes, school lunches, transportation to and from school, and in some instances, starting a new school. Along with this, many children will spend some time at home alone after school.

About 3.5 million American children between the ages of 5 and 12 spend time at home alone after school. The average amount of time isn’t much—only about an hour a day, according to a U-M study presented in Chicago at the Society for Research on Adolescence biennial meeting. This number represents about 26 percent of American children who spend time after school alone, including time spent getting from one place to another (from school to home, for example) on their own.

Many children are ready to be home alone for an hour or so; however, a lot can depend on the maturity and ability level of the individual child.

In addition, each living situation is unique. Families living in apartments and condominiums have a different lifestyle and circumstances than their suburban and rural counterparts. Even geographic locations-where you live-playa large part in readying your child to stay home alone.

No matter what age your children are, or type of housing, there are still many situations in common that you can ready your child for, ensuring their safety while home.

Assess your children’s age and ability

Ability doesn’t necessarily come with age. A lot depends upon your child’s temperament, emotional maturity, and physical ability. For instance, children with special needs- whether physical, mental or emotional-should be factored into how much time they can be home alone. For example, a 9-year-old child on the autism spectrum may not be able to stay at home alone, whereas a 9- year-old without special needs could be left alone for a short period of time.

Geographical location

Do you live in an area that has extreme heat or cold spells? Do you live in a flood zone? Do you live in a hurricane or tornado-prone area? If so, does your child know what to do if these situations arise? What if you cannot get home because of an adverse weather event? Does your child know what to do?

Weather events are the most likely emergency- assess the most likely weather that your children could encounter, during a severe weather event, the power may go out, phones may not work, and heat and air conditioning may also not be working. In addition, if there is severe weather and you can’t get home to your children in the usual time frame, would your children know what to do? Knowing what to do is important if cell phone service goes down and there’s no way to communicate with each other.

Home-alone emergency supplies

Basic first aid kit with basic supplies. Instruct your children how to use it in case of a minor emergency and when they should be calling 911. Laminate a card to keep in the first aid kit with these instructions.
Two flashlights with extra batteries
Bottled water
Prepackaged snacks
Portable radio with extra batteries with the emergency services bands
Portable cellphone battery chargers for each cell phone in the home. Test periodically and ensure they have a charge. Keep an additional cable with them for easy access.
Extra blankets and cold weather gear- and a small tent that can be set up in the bedroom or living room to contain heat in case you aren’t able to get home in a timely fashion

In case of evacuation

Evacuation should not be taken lightly. Most of the time, your child is safer in their home than in the great outdoors. Fires, power outages that affect heating, and even door-to-door evacuation orders are reasons your child needs to be prepared. Luckily, having to evacuate is not very likely. But it is always better to be prepared than to have regrets.
Put together a go-bag for each child in the home. Have the child put the bag on and ensure it isn’t too heavy and fits their frame. In the bag, place a laminated card with their name, address, medications, allergies, parents’ names, and phone numbers.
Two bottles of water for each go bag
Two or more prepackaged snacks-Lara bars are a great nutritious snack
Child’s medication for at least three days in clearly labeled bottles
A change of clothing-socks, pants, underwear, shirt, hat, gloves, and coat/sweater, depending on your climate.
Headlamps and extra batteries (headlamps free hands for tasks)
Reflective tape on the go bag, or purchase reflective tape and apply it to the backpack for visibility
Laminated map of the immediate area that you live in
Rechargeable hand warmers (with recharging cables) if you live in a cold weather area
Phone and portable recharger with cable

Put together a plan and practice.

Post on the refrigerator or a conspicuous place emergency phone numbers, relatives, trusted friends, and neighbors that your children can contact or go to in the event they need to leave home. Make the people on this list aware that your children will contact them in an emergency.
Pull out the first aid kit, go through all the items in the kit, and practice using them—role play. Purchase extra gauze and bandages for your children to use and practice with. As you go through scenarios, advise them to treat only minor cuts and injuries. Give examples of a minor injury and when they should call 911 or seek a trusted adult if phone service or power is out. Ideally, take your child to a local first aid course.
Have your children operate the portable radio. Have them remove and replace the batteries, and demonstrate they know how to find the emergency station(s) for information about local weather events.
Practice removing and replacing flashlight batteries. Make sure they know how to operate them.
Review and rehearse what your child would do if phone service were unavailable. For example, not to panic, and if able to safely make it to a trusted neighbor’s home.
If your child has misplaced or lost their key, have an alternate area to access a key, not just under a mat or a rock near the house. These would be obvious places for intruders to gain access to your home by finding that key.

Backup plans Kids should know where a key is hidden in case they’ve lost theirs, where to go in the neighborhood if they need help, and who to call if there’s a problem and they can’t be reached.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

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Part 2, Common Back to School Illnesses

Last week we reviewed head lice, colds and flu and pinkeye. Today we will look at impetigo.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It is the most common skin infection in the age 2-5 group. On occasion adults may become infected, especially if they have another skin issue or are recovering from a cold or other virus.

Group A Streptococcus (group A strep) causes many different infections. These infections range from minor illnesses to very serious and deadly diseases., such as strep throat, scarlet fever, cellulitis, rheumatic fever and more.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or “staph”) causes skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Most staph infections are not serious, however staph infections can on occasion cause bone, bloodstream, and pneumonia. Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) is an antibiotic resistant staph infection is becoming more common.

How impetigo is spread

Impetigo is highly contagious and can be spread from skin-to-skin contact, like in daycare and school environments where children are in close contact with each other.
People with scabies or other skin infections or injuries that break the skin are at an increased risk of impetigo.
Sharing washcloths and towels,
Contact with sores and rash through personal contact (hugging, playground play)
Not practicing correct personal hygiene- by keeping sores and blisters clean and removing excess crusty material as it builds up.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms include:

Impetigo starts out as red itchy blisters and sores, that easily spreads when scratched.
The blisters are filled with yellow or honey-colored fluid and ooze and crust over. Rash that may begin as a single spot but spreads to other areas due to scratching.
Sores usually start on the face and lips and can spread, arms, or legs and other areas of the body.
Patches of impetigo on the body (in children).

Treatment

Both S, aureus and group A strep impetigo are treated either with an antibiotic cream or in the case of a severe infection an oral antibiotic.

Your care provider can guide you in the best treatment option available. They may want to take a sample of the bacteria on the skin to determine if you have impetigo, however visual observance is how it is usually diagnosed.

Impetigo can take weeks to clear up. If the rash spreads or does not get better (after a week or so) following treatment, contact your care provider for further guidance. You may need to try another antibiotic.

NOTE: Most impetigo is caused by group A strep

Most cases of impetigo are treated with a prescription antibiotic cream applied directly to the affected area(s). Only severe cases and cases that aren’t healing may need an oral antibiotic.

Be sure to keep sores clean by daily cleansing with mild soap and water and patting dry. Wash soiled washcloths in hot water and dry on high heat. Apply prescribed cream once skin is dry.

It takes about 10 days for sores to appear after someone is exposed to group A strep. If an oral antibiotic is indicated for group A strep impetigo it is usually treated with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (one of the antibiotics in the Jase case)

If an oral antibiotic is indicated for S. aureus impetigo, your care provider may prescribe doxycycline (one of the antibiotics in the Jase case) or another antibiotic if needed.

Complications of untreated impetigo

Rare complications include:

Kidney failure
Glomerulonephritis
Scarring

Prevention

Use a clean washcloth and towel each time you wash.
DO NOT share towels, clothing, brushes, and other personal care products with anyone.
Avoid touching sores that are oozing. If you do, immediately wash hands, wipe hands on towel and immediately put the towel in the washer or if using paper towels, discard in trash immediately.
Keep your skin clean to prevent getting the infection. Wash minor cuts and scrapes well with soap and clean water
Avoid using hot tubs or swimming pools to prevent spread of impetigo to other parts of the body

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3 Common Back to School Illnesses Part 1 of 2

Part 1

As summer winds down, children across the nation are returning to school. Whether in public school or homeschooled they will be exposed to more germs as they interact with their peers.

Children aren’t exempt from the annual onslaught of germs. Every year teachers and those who work with children end up with colds, flu and other common illnesses that the new school year brings.

Let’s take a look at 3 common back to school illnesses.

Colds, flu and coronavirus

Colds, flu and coronavirus are all highly contagious and can be almost impossible to avoid. Luckily these illnesses are usually not life threatening and can be managed with symptomatic treatment.

If your child is in a high-risk category, be sure to contact your primary care provider for guidance and follow their recommendations on vaccination and other preventative measures.

To build up and help fight these viruses:

Get adequate sleep. Especially during the school year, a set schedule is very important. Sleep is where your body repairs and heals.
Avoid sugar. Sugar brings the immune system down.
Eat plenty of fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits. At least 4-6 servings a day.
Vigorously wash hands in soapy water for 30 seconds.
Sneeze and cough into crook of elbow, or tissue. Discard tissue and wash hands.
Fresh air and exercise outside, weather permitting. This helps build up the immune system.

Treatment

Many viruses run their course. They provide immunity in the form of antibodies to help combat further exposure to the virus.

To alleviate discomfort associated with viruses:

Try over the counter or prescription decongestants, expectorants, cough suppressants and pain relivers as recommended by your primary care provider.
Studies on honey as a cough suppressant have been encouraging. Honey with lemon or tea has been a time-honored treatment for sore throats and cough.
Diffusers with essential oils such as mint or eucalyptus can help breathing and congestion.
A cool mist humidifier can provide relief.
Be sure to stay hydrated, especially if running a fever.

2. Head lice (not an illness, however they are common and pesky!)

Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the scalp. They cannot jump or fly and are passed from person to person via direct contact, either from close contact with someone who has lice or sharing combs, brushes, clothing (hats, hoodies, coats)

Identify: If there is an infestation, all household members need to be inspected for lice. Because adult and nymph lice are very small, move quickly, and avoid light, they may be difficult to find. Use of a fine-toothed louse comb may facilitate identification of live lice. Nits (nits are

the empty egg cases attached to hair that head lice hatch from)

Nits frequently are seen on hair behind the ears and near the back of the neck.

Many times, dirt, dust and dander can look like lice and can be misdiagnosed.

Treatment:

Whether using an over the counter or prescription medication to get rid of lice, there are a few very important steps you need to take. A breakdown of the different types of otc and prescription medications from the CDC website can be found here:

Prescription and otc lice treatment

Use a fine-tooth comb after applying medication to hair. This removes the dead lice and eggs. Be sure to put on clean clothing after treatment and wash the dirty clothing. Be sure not to use conditioner before applying the lice medication.
Do not wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment to assure the lice have been killed
While treating for lice, wash all bedding and clothing that may have contact with lice. Wash in hottest water possible and dry on high heat.
Vacuum furniture that may have come in contact with lice. Head lice survive less than 1–2 days if they fall off a person and cannot feed; nits cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they are not kept at the same temperature as that found close to the human scalp.
Wash combs, brushes, hair clips, etc in hot water for at least 30 minutes to avoid reinfection.
Depending on the treatment, you may have to retreat 7-9 days after initial treatment to avoid reinfestation.
Note, some anecdotal treatments, with essential oils and mayonnaise (believed to suffocate the lice) may have some effect on killing the lice, however, it is believed that much of the effectiveness of this method is the use of the fine comb, pulling the lice and eggs out of the hair.

When treating head lice

Do not treat with same medicine more than twice. If the treatment isn’t effective the lice may have built up a resistance to it.
Keep medicine out of the eyes
Avoid further skin exposure and able. After using, wash hair in sink, to avoid showering or bathing.
For more tips on how to mitigate and treat head lice, visit the CDC website.

Conjunctivitis types. Inflammatory diseases of eyes.

3. Pink eye. AKA Conjuctivitis

This is a condition where the conjunctiva, the thin membrane lining the eyelid and eye, becomes infected or irritated. This in turn can leave the white part of the eye pink or red due to the infection or irritation. Eyes become watery, itchy, and discharge, especially upon awakening can appear.

There are three types of pink eye, viral, bacterial, and allergic. Symptoms and treatment vary depending on type of pinkeye.

Viral conjunctivitis

Viral pink eye is caused by a virus such as a cold or other respiratory virus. It starts in one eye and can easily travel to the other eye, and even to other people as it is highly contagious. Antihistamines, decongestants, and eye drops can help symptoms of this type of pink eye.

It usually resolves within 1-2 weeks without treatment.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

This type of pinkeye is caused by bacteria and is highly contagious, just like viral pink eye. There is more mucus and crusty, greenish-yellow discharge associated with bacterial pink eye. Eyelids can stick together from this discharge upon awakening. This type of pink eye needs to be treated with topical antibiotics or drops. It can cause damage to the eye if not treated.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Symptoms include itchy, puffy, watery eyes. As the name implies, this type of pink eye is caused by allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. This type of conjunctivitis is found in both eyes at the same time, and treatment is symptomatic. Antihistamines and eye drops along with avoiding the allergen if possible are among the most effective treatments. Running a hepa filter in the bedroom can help reduce allergens.

Symptomatic treatments of all forms of pink eye

To relieve the discomfort of pink eye

Green tea and tulsi tea bags, steeped and cooled and placed over the eyes can offer some anti-inflammatory and irritated eyes. Colloidal silver, an antibacterial solution, applied to outside of eyelids when dealing with viral and bacterial forms of pinkeye can help avoid spread of pink eye. Do not replace this with care provided by your primary care provider, however.

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10 Most Common Back to School Illnesses & Physician Recommended Medications

| Each year about 3 million kids aged 5-17 miss 15 or more school days due to health-related reasons. |

Common Cold

Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

Strep Throat

Influenza (flu)

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Head Lice

Chickenpox

Mononucleosis (Mono)

Eczema

In conclusion:

Explore the customized Back to School Jase Case HERE

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Healthy kids make happy learners.

A Healthy Head Start: Preparing Your Child for a Thriving School Year

1. Physical Health Preparations

| About 3 million children (or 5.8% of school children overall) missed at least 15 days of school in 2022 for health-related reasons |

2. Mental and Emotional Wellness

3. Social Health

4. Academic Readiness

5. Health and Safety Measures

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- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

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Part 1

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