Summer Send Off

Summer is almost here and while it may be a break from school, it shouldn’t be a break from staying healthy and being safe. Here are some ways you and your family can have a healthy summer.

1.       Avoid Summer Snacking- While you have been waiting all school year to just relax, instead of reaching for that candy bar or soda choose a healthier option. Instead of a candy bar how about a nice refreshing piece of fruit. Thirsty? Nothing hits the spot better than an ice cold glass of water. Just because school is over doesn’t mean our healthy habits are too!

2.       Water Safety- One of the top activities here in Hawaii during the summer is to “go beach.” Stay safe by always having an adult supervise children while at the beach or pool. Even if they can swim it is always best to have someone watching. Being surrounded by water it is probably a great idea to learn how to swim. Enroll your child in swim lessons this summer!

3.       Sun Protection- You know summer days can be scorchers. Sun burn and skin cancer is no joke, so make sure you cover up your child and frequently apply sunblock while out and about.

4.       Prevent Injuries- Emergency room visits during the summer have shown to increase. Keep your children safe by always supervising them when on playgrounds, ensuring proper protection when riding bicycles, and educating your children on fire prevention, microwave use, and living with pets.

5.       Stay Active- There are so many great FREE activities to do here in Hawaii. Go to the beach, go hiking, play at the park, the list goes on. Don’t just lounge around the house all day. Remember children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

We hope you have a wonderful safe and healthy summer, remember

DOE Registration Requirements

Easy as 1-2-3

It's that time again. As parents get ready to register their young ones for Kindergarten in the Fall, the big question of "What do I need to register my kid?" arises. No fear because I got you covered. It's as easy as 1-2-3. Continue reading below to find out what 3 things are required by the DOE for your child to attend.

FIRST thing your child is going to need is a TB (tuberculosis) clearance. If your child does not have a TB clearance done within one year of the first day of school, you will NOT be able to even register for school. Don't be caught by surprise, take your child to their doctor's office to have one done. Don't have a doctor or don't know where to go? No worries, the Public Health Nurses will take care of you. 

State Law Requirements

          

           Kauai PHN Section: Dept. of Health Building

                                   3040 Umi Street

                                Lihue, Hawaii 96766

                                  Phone: 241-3387

                           Monday 1:00pm – 4:00pm    

                       Wednesday 1:00pm – 4:00pm

SECOND thing registrars will look for is that your child has their Form 14 (F14) completed, which is essentially a physical completed by your child's doctor/nurse practitioner/physician assistant prior to entering school. While it is required that your child have one completed prior to the first day, we will accept an appointment slip from your doctor if you are unable to get one done before the first day. BUT don't wait, get it done now so that you are smooth sailing the rest of the school year.

FORM 14 with highlighted required fields

THIRDLY there is a list of immunizations required by the DOE determined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP determines which vaccines are necessary to keep our children safe from preventable diseases. Matter of fact, the World Health Organization provided a statement this week saying that approximately 20% of the kids around the world are not receiving recommended vaccinations leading to approximately 1.5 million deaths around the world from diseases that could be prevented. While your child maybe allowed to attend school on the first day, we again require appointment slips to get your child up to date and protected. See the list below.

School Immunization Requirements

Does your child have all 3 of the requirements? Congratulations your child is ready to register for Kindergarten. If not don't fret, let us help you get your child ready for the first day. Visit the Nanaikapono front office during office hours and they can help. Or visit the Hawaii Department of Health website.

  

Mononucleosis aka "Mono"

Infectious mononucleosis—sometimes known as “mono”—is caused by infection with a virus called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Symptoms vary but may include swollen lymph glands, sore throat, and tiredness. There are usually no complications, although it may take several weeks for mononucleosis to clear up completely. 


What is Mononucleosis? 

Infectious mononucleosis is a common, usually mild illness. It is most often caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Since EBV is spread by saliva, close contact such as kissing or young children playing together, spreads the disease. It may take a while before your child recovers completely. Your Doctor may recommend a blood test to be sure of the diagnosis.

What Does it Look Like?

Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis vary, but the most common are:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Sore Throat 
• Swollen Lymph glands, especially in the neck
• Fever, headache, stomach ache, nausea, rashes and muscle aches
• Symptoms often come on gradually
• Pain in left upper part of the abdomen that may be caused by enlargement of the spleen
• Younger children have mild symptoms or none at all. 

How is Mono Treated?

• For most cases there is no specific treatment that can help your child's Mono clear up quicker.
• Antibiotics are not used because they are not effective against viruses. 
• If your child's tonsils become very swollen, they may receive steroid treatment
• Ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help to reduce fever, headache and sore throat. 
• Make sure your child gets plenty of liquids and a lot of rest
• Your child's spleen may be swollen, so they should avoid any contact sports for a few weeks to reduce the risk of rupture. 

Returning to School   

Your child can return to school when they are feeling better. it may still be possible to spread the virus, so have him or her avoid close contact (kissing, sharing food or drink, lip balm) with other children.

Eating Healthy - Parent Cheatsheet

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It's no surprise that parents might need some help understanding what it means to eat healthy. From the MyPlate food guide to the latest food fad, it can be confusing.

The good news is that you don't need a degree in nutrition to raise healthy kids. Following some basic guidelines can help you encourage your kids to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.

Here are 10 key rules to live by:

1.    Parents control the supply lines. You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them. Though kids will pester their parents for less nutritious foods, adults should be in charge when deciding which foods are regularly stocked in the house. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available in the cupboard and fridge at home. If their favorite snack isn't all that nutritious, you can still buy it once in a while so they don't feel deprived.

2.    From the foods you offer, kids get to choose what they will eat or whether to eat at all. Kids need to have some say in the matter. Schedule regular meal and snack times. From the selections you offer, let them choose what to eat and how much of it they want. This may seem like a little too much freedom. But if you follow step 1, your kids will be choosing only from the foods you buy and serve.

3.    Quit the "clean-plate club." Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough. Lots of parents grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that approach doesn't help kids listen to their own bodies when they feel full. When kids notice and respond to feelings of fullness, they're less likely to overeat. If they get hungry shortly after, do not allow them a snack or dessert, offer them their leftover meal.

4.    Start them young. Food preferences are developed early in life, so offer variety. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. You may need to serve a new food on several different occasions for a child to accept it. Don't force a child to eat, but offer a few bites. With older kids, ask them to try one bite.

5.    Rewrite the kids' menu. Who says kids only want to eat hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and macaroni and cheese? When eating out, let your kids try new foods and they might surprise you with their willingness to experiment. You can start by letting them try a little of whatever you ordered or ordering an appetizer for them to try.

6.    Drink calories count. Soda and other sweetened drinks add extra calories and get in the way of good nutrition. Water and milk are the best drinks for kids. Juice is fine when it's 100%, but kids still shouldn't have much of it.

7.    Put sweets in their place. Occasional sweets are fine, but don't turn dessert into the main reason for eating dinner. When dessert is the prize for eating dinner, kids naturally place more value on the cupcake than the broccoli. Try to stay neutral about foods.

8.    Food is not love. Find better ways to say "I love you." When foods are used to reward kids and show affection, they may start using food to cope with stress or other emotions. Offer hugs, praise, and attention instead of food treats.

9.    KIDS DO AS YOU DO! Be a role model and eat healthy yourself. When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example possible. Choose nutritious snacks, eat at the table, and don't skip meals.

10.   Limit TV and computer time. When you do, you'll avoid mindless snacking and encourage activity. Research has shown that kids who cut down on TV watching also reduced their percentage of body fat. When TV and computer time are limited, they'll find more active things to do. And limiting "screen time" means you'll have more time to be active together.

 

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.