Pink Eye

 

Did you know that "pink eye" is another term for conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the transparent covering (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When the blood vessels of the conjunctiva become inflamed, that is what causes your eyes to appear pink. Common culprits include viral or bacterial infection and allergic responses. Early diagnosis and treatment of pink eye is necessary to prevent spreading.

Symptoms
While "pink eye" is the common symptom, there are other associated symptoms

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Itchiness in one or both eyes
• A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
• A discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning
• Tearing

Types

Bacterial

• Sticky yellow/green discharge
• Eyelids may be stuck together when waking up in the morning
• May affect one or both eyes
• Spreads through direct contact

Viral

• Most common form
• Red, watery, itchy eye
• May affect one or both eyes
• Highly contagious
• Spread through direct contact and respiratory droplets

Allergic

• Similar appearance to viral conjunctivitis
• May be accompanied by nasal congestion, eyelid swelling and sneezing
• Tends to affect both eyes
• Not contagious

 

Treatments

• Bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eyedrops and/or ointment. Frequent washing of hands to prevent spread. DO NOT share personal items such as towels. 
• Viral conjunctivitis DOES NOT require antibiotics. Like a cold, a viral conjunctivitis needs to run its course before getting better. Lubricating eye drops may be given to keep eyes moist. Frequently washing of hands to prevent spread.
• Allergic conjunctivitis DOES NOT require antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe allergy medicine. Avoid allergy triggers such as cat dander.
• Cold compress to the affected eye may provide some relief. If only one eye is affected, DO NOT use the same compress for the opposite eye to prevent spread.

Preventing Pink Eye

Practice good hygiene to control the spread of pink eye. For instance:

• Don't touch your eyes with your hands.
• Wash your hands often.
• Use a clean towel and washcloth daily.
• Don't share towels or washcloths.
• Change your pillowcases often.
• Throw away your eye cosmetics, such as mascara.
• Don't share eye cosmetics or personal eye care items.

For more information please click on these links Mayo Clinic, CDC, Kids Health.

Tips For a Healthy Halloween

No real surprise that candy sales are highest during Halloween. Every year our keiki dress up and hit the streets hoping to hit the candy jackpot. Halloween is a great opportunity to talk to our keiki about food and the way we take care of our bodies.Topics can include portion control, moderation, excessive sugar intake, food safety and dental care. 

Halloween is a tough holiday for us healthcare providers who advocate for nutritious eating habits. Though we as children, and even as adults, enjoy all the fun and candy, we discourage the excessive amounts given and eaten this time of year. 

I want to offer some tips for keeping you and your family healthy this Halloween that won't totally devastate your children and spoil all their fun.  

• Avoid sticky candies because the sugar sticks to the teeth more
• Limit sour candies because the acidity can damage our tooth enamel
• Brush and floss daily!!!!!
• Don't let your child eat candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Choose one time during the day to eat candy. Moderation is key!
• Though it is your child's hard earned candy - they should still ask permission to eat and should be a dessert not a snack.
• Donate or toss any extra or unwanted candy, they won't notice. Maybe even freeze some for a later time. 
• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low calorie snacks 
• Provide non-edible treats such as stickers, erasers, temporary tattoos, playdoh, or homemade slime
• No snacking while out trick-or-treating, you should check all contents of your child's goody bag before eating. Throw away anything that looks suspicious or tampered with.
• To help prevent snacking, give your child a light meal or snack before you head out
• Be aware of choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, or hard candies
• ALL THESE TIPS GO FOR PARENTS AS WELL ;)

If your child's school has a no candy rule, please remind your child not to bring their favorite Halloween Candy with them next week. Even if your school does not have a written policy, bringing excessive amounts of candy to school is always discouraged. Lets keep our kids healthy and ready to learn at school!

Enjoy your weekend fun!

Measles Reported on Kauai

Measles 

As you might have already heard on the news, 3 new cases of measles have been reported in the state, one on Maui and two on Kauai. Although the cases are unrelated, each are in unvaccinated young adults with recent travel to either the Philippines, Indonesia, or Malaysia. Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is highly contagious that is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It infects approximately 90% of the contacts who are not immune. The state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park reports that "measles outbreaks continue to occur both internationally and on the mainland, especially in areas where vaccination is declining." Hawaii has a total of 5 confirmed cases reported in the state this year. Again measles is a vaccine preventable disease and the best prevention is to get your child vaccinated. 

Symptoms begin about 14 days after a person is initially infected and include:
• Blotchy red rash

• Fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Feeling run down, achy (malaise)

• Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik's spots -- not always present)

A typical case of measles begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and sore throat. Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik’s spots) may appear inside the mouth.

Three to five days after the start of symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears. The rash usually begins on a person’s face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

After a few days, the fever subsides and the rash fades. 

How long is a person with measles contagious?

A person is contagious from 4 days before to at least 4 days after the start of rash. Infected persons with an immunocompromising condition may be contagious for longer

What is the treatment for measles?

There is no specific treatment for measles. Care of patients with measles consists mainly of providing fluids, bed rest, and fever control

Should a person with measles stay home from work or school?

Yes. Any person diagnosed with measles should stay away from school or work for 4 days after the rash begins.

What are our schools doing to prevent the spread of measles?

• We are recommending that all children comply with the public school State requirement and get their MMR vaccination from the healthcare provider if they have not already.
• Promoting proper hand hygiene, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or singing happy birthday twice
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• If you notice that your child develops any of the aforementioned symptoms associated with measles to contact your primary healthcare provider
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If you have any further questions you can either contact your primary healthcare provider or visit the Hawaii DOH website or the CDC website for updates.

Stop Flu at School

Stop Flu At School

http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/flu-hawaii/

Stop Flu at School 8th ANNUAL Campain will be visiting your school in the month of November. WE WILL BE ADMINISTERING BOTH THE FLU SHOT AND NASAL MIST FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE. BE SURE TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT YOUR CHILD'S CONSENT FORM BY your schools Due date IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR CHILD VACCINATED! IF YOU NEED ANOTHER FORM PLEASE VISIT THE HEALTH ROOM OR FRONT OFFICE FOR ANOTHER COPY. 

WHAT IS INFLUENZA (ALSO CALLED THE “FLU”)?

Influenza, commonly called the “flu,” is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause a more severe illness and possibly life-threatening complications.

Recognizing the signs of flu in people

You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• possibly vomiting or diarrhea (more likely in children)

What you can do to stay healthy:

Influenza is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. You can take everyday actions to stay healthy:
• Get vaccinated
• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home if you are sick

Special Populations at Increased Risk

You may be at risk for serious complications from the flu if you:
• Are 65 years or older, or 23 months and younger
• Have chronic medical conditions
• Are taking long-term immune suppressive therapy
• Are pregnant

Some complications of flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may develop sinus problems and ear infections.

Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn INTRODUCTION

Danielle Doo
RN, MSN, CDE

Aloha Parents, Staff and Students! I excitedly take on a new endeavor under a partnership between the Department of Education and University of Hawaii Nursing Program. I am a Registered Nurse with my Graduate Degree in Public Health Nursing and credentialed as a Certified Diabetes Educator. 

My role in the schools is multifaceted. I will have a special focus at Kekaha Elementary School, where we are working on a Health Needs Assessment, establishing a Health and Wellness Committee, and implementing the DOE Wellness Policy along with various other health initiatives. We are also looking at Kekaha Elementary as a potential site for a School Based Health Center in addition to exploring the Community Schools Model for all Kauai schools, where the school is open to the community after hours and provides a variety of services.

I am also located at the District office and am available as a medical resource and consultant for all DOE Staff Members. I will be assisting with various island-wide health initiatives and providing consultation, training and support to School Health Aids. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, requests or suggestions!