Zillah School District Health News

ZSD Health News

ZILLAH SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 205
213 Fourth Avenue, Zillah, WA 98953-9533
(509) 829-5911 Fax # (509) 829-6290
http://www.zillahschools.org/
“Educational Excellence for Everyone”
May 4, 2012

Dear Parent/Guardian:

A Zillah High School student has been diagnosed with Whooping Cough (also known as Pertussis). The ill person is currently receiving treatment. We have consulted with the Yakima Health District and are providing you with this important information about Whooping Cough (Pertussis).

Symptoms
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is a contagious disease affecting both children and adults. Symptoms usually begin between 7 to 21 days from exposure with cold-like symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose followed by a persistent cough. As the cough progresses, it may occur in explosive bursts or fits which can be followed by gagging or vomiting, and may end with a high pitched whoop. These coughing fits can make it hard to eat, drink or breathe. Between coughing episodes, children and adults may appear well. There is usually little or no fever with this illness. Coughing attacks can continue for 6 to 8 weeks or longer.

How It Is Spread
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions (from nose and throat) or by handling articles directly contaminated by those secretions. It could take up to three weeks from the time of exposure to Whooping Cough (Pertussis) before symptoms may develop.

Prevention
Following proper respiratory hygiene can help prevent the spread of many germs, including Whooping Cough (Pertussis). It is very important to:
¨Cover your mouth and nose when you are coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Cough or sneeze into your elbow to prevent contaminating your hands but if this is not an option, cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
¨Clean your hands often with warm water and soap for 15 to 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
¨Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
¨Avoid close contact with persons who are sick.

Whooping Cough Immunizations (Shots)
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine (DTaP/DTP) is given to children up to the 7^th birthday. It is important that young children receive these shots starting at 2 months of age because they are at the greatest risk of developing severe symptoms and complications from the illness. Children and adults sometimes catch Whooping Cough (Pertussis) even if they have had all their immunizations (DTP or DTaP) against this disease.

In 2005, new Pertussis containing vaccines [Tdap] were licensed for persons aged 10 years to 64 years of age. The vaccine has now been recommended for all adults of any age and children. They only need to have a one-time dose of Tdap. Also, Tdap may be administered regardless of the interval since the administration of last tetanus or diphtheria containing vaccine.

What to Do
Children and adults who develop or have persistent coughs should see their family doctor or regular source of medical care taking this letter with them at the time of the visit. For more information about Whooping Cough (Pertussis), you may call the Yakima Health District at 249-6541.

Spend Smart. Eat Smart Check out this website that helps families shop smart for healthy foods at www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings The website was re-launched this week with a fresh, crisp look and new features to better serve site visitors. User feedback told us that the old website was a great resource for families looking to eat healthy on a budget, but that it was hard to find information, and some of that information was not easy to use. The changes to the website and new features directly address these issues, providing a better experience overall.

Heads Up On Concussions: A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Most people will only experience symptoms from a concussion for a short period of time. But sometimes concussion can lead to long-lasting problems. The best way to protect yourself and your family from concussions is to prevent them from happening. Go to www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/pdf/Heads_Up_factsheet_english-a.pdf to get the fact sheet on identification, prevention, actions regarding concussions.

Season Flu Vaccination News (from Molly Green, RN) At HealthyChildren.org we are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on issues that affect your child's health. Which is why we are letting you know about the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for this year's seasonal flu shots Check out this website for details www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/AAP-Issues-Flu-Vaccine-Recommendations.aspx

Download a Cooks for Kids Brochure. Cooks for Kids is a series of nine 30-minute training programs that showcases the fact that children should have access to healthy food and be able to make healthy food choices wherever they are – at home, in school, and in the community. Reversing the childhood obesity epidemic is a shared responsibility. It will take the commitment of parents, the foodservice industry, the media, and schools working together to reverse the childhood obesity trend.

Kids Health Website: If you're looking for information you can trust about kids and teens that's free of "doctor speak," you've come to the right place. KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. On a typical weekday, more than 500,000 people visit KidsHealth. One of the things that makes KidsHealth special is that it's really three sites in one: with sections for parents, for kids, and for teens.

New Healthy Children Website: www.healthychildren.org Whether you have a question about a specific condition or are looking for general guidance, you know you can trust us. That's because HealthyChildren.org is the only site backed by 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics member pediatricians.

As a service to our students, parents, staff and community, Mrs. Molly Green R.N., the Zillah School District Nurse, will provide bulletins, links and news relating to health care. If you have anything you would like to comment on, please send an email message to


Mrs. Molly Green R.N.
Zillah School District Nurse