Is Your School Prepared for a Coronavirus Outbreak?

It’s time for schools in the US to prepare themselves to counter a possible corona virus outbreak.  State and local educational agencies must start collaborating with health agencies to understand the nature of the spread, understand critical information about the disease and focus on what needs to be done to prevent its introduction into communities.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has brought out interim guidance based on what’s currently known about the nature of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has also specially mentioned the roles schools can play in disseminating information about COVID -19 and its potential transmission with the school community.    While health officials have the responsibility to take all measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus in communities across the US, schools must continue to collaborate, share information, and even review plans with local health officials to help protect the whole school community.    Should school administrators be worried about COVID-19? COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel virus. Concerns have been raised about the outbreak in the US and the repercussions if communities are affected. Imported cases of the disease have been found in the US, forcing communities, like schools, to go on high alert to counter its spreading.    How can schools prevent it? To prevent the spreading of the COVID-19 – about which not much is known and no vaccine found – students, teachers, parents, and school administrators must avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it.  Stopping transmission through everyday practices has been suggested as one of the best ways to keep everyone healthy and ensure students have safe and healthy learning environments.  There are several measures that schools can take to prepare themselves for an outbreak. Develop an outbreak response/pandemic plan, if there isn’t one. Review and update the existing plan and share it with stakeholders. Organize training sessions to sensitize staff or members on preventive measures. Prepare for potential school closures, dismissals or cancellation of school events. Prepare to offer home instruction to students. Get in touch with local public health officials and identify points of contact. Prepare processes to send back home students and staff who become sick at school or arrive at school sick. Put in place an emergency communication plan and maintain up-to-date contact information for everyone in your communication chain. Form a leadership team, identify essential staff functions, assign tasks and responsibilities. Continue to monitor current information from health officials.   How can school nurses pitch in?  Nurses in school districts have an integral role to play. They’ve to sensitize students about the disease, and also dispel the fear that students may have developed towards it.    They can do this by urging students to adopt healthy everyday preventive practices like:  Avoiding contact with sick people Not touching eyes, nose and mouth  Staying at home if sick Using tissues while sneezing and discarding them after a single use Using disinfectants Using face-masks Washing hands with soap and water Using hand sanitizers   Nurses must also establish communication with parents to regularly check-in on ill students. They should also inform parents when a child falls ill while at school and take immediate next steps. They should keep tabs on students who have traveled to affected countries and coordinate with parents and the health department on when the student can re-enter the school. Nurses also need to maintain constant contact with doctors, other health workers as well as pharmacies to communicate emergencies and ensure that healthcare of their schools is well taken of.  They must organize cleanliness drives, lead the establishment of preventive practices, and maintain up-to-date information and documentation on the status of the health of students as well as teachers.  It is also important for them to update themselves on the latest measures that schools need to take to safeguard the health of students and communities.    How can Eduhealth help? Nurses are the primary point of care for students in school districts and they need to be proactively involved in countering the spread of the disease.  A tool like Eduhealth will help nurses carefully monitor students’ health by managing documentation and communication on one single platform.  Nurses will be able to update students’ health information on their profiles and pass on messages to parents, doctors or healthcare workers.  With Eduhealth, nurses will be able to stay on top of their students’ healthcare requirements and ensure the right steps are taken to effectively protect their schools and communities against attacks from deadly viruses.

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Impact of ADHD in the US School Children

Impact of ADHD in the United States School Children

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a seemingly serious mental ailment which falls under the neurodevelopmental type. Children with ADHD have trouble being attentive and experience hyperactivity. They also face problems while dealing with emotions. This often affects their daily activities at school and at home. However, these types of…

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Top 8 Cities for Summer Vacation with Kids and Family in the United States

On a summer vacation, you would cherish moments of happiness and excitement. Few memories which you can carry back home, some unforgettable destinations which would liven up your entire family. So, here is a list of destinations which would be captivating and thrilling as well:     1. Salt Lake City, UT   If you are a fan of Skiing and Hiking, Salt Lake City (SLS) is the place! Park City which is located around 30 miles southeast of SLS has a treasure of 2 major alpine ski spots. The enchanting view of snow-filled mountains that stretch across many acres is surely going to satisfy your adrenaline rushes. Another main attraction is the Utah Museum of Fine Arts which has an array of exclusive railroad exhibits. The 150th anniversary of the 1869 completion of the Transcontinental Railroad is being celebrated in Utah in 2019. So, enjoy the panoramic views of the snow cladded valleys along with your family. Get thrilled all the while.     2. Disney World, Orlando   2019 is filled with lots of drama & race at Orlando Theme Park which would fill you and your kids’ hearts. Opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge & Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway are few attractions where visitors can feel the characters & experience the game environment in real-time. Your kids would never forget this visit because they get to see the characters for real, which conquer their minds daily. The most striking would be Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy show at Hollywood Studios. The theme park is located at the exotic Bay Lake/Lake Buena Vista area of Southwest Orlando in Central Florida. There are 4 theme parks and 2 waterparks – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, etc are the other famous charms which pulls visitors every year. So, plan your visit now!     3. Huntsville, AL   A dreamlike stroll through the galaxy! This is what awaits you at Huntsville in 2019 while celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing. Awe yourself when around 5000 model rockets get launched at one shot exactly at the same time of Apollo 11 launch in 2019. Huntsville’s EarlyWorks Family of Museums has lots in store for kids’ fun and birthday related events. This city stands tall with the name “The Rocket City” and has lots to tell you from World War history. The MidCity Huntsville and Stovehouse complexes are coming alive in 2019 which would keep visiting families engaged with shopping, dining and entertainment avenues.     4. Memphis, TN   A bunch of Music fun and lots of family attractions would amuse you at Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis celebrates its 200th birthday in 2019 which makes it the ideal time to visit this music city. There are new hotels opening in the city which would attract even more families. Most of the hotels would give you a fairy tale experience especially the Big Cypress Lodge with rooms that resemble tree lodges or vintage duck-hunting camps. Others include Hilton Curio Collection Hotel and the Moxy Memphis Downtown. This is a must-visit place for families mainly because of its historic and cultural importance and the terrain features a huge variety of exotic landscapes.     5. Grand Canyon National Park, AZ   Again, it is a good time for families to visit when Grand Canyon National Park celebrates its 100th anniversary. A series of special events would continuously entertain the visitors, especially cultural demonstrations of native tribes. There are many local astronomy clubs that would enlighten your kids with useful information and provide planetary sights and experiences. This national park is a favorite destination for the adventure seekers since it encompasses many canyons and white-water rafting spots.     6. Greater Williamsburg, VA   Lots of events connected to the first official English Thanksgiving and Virginia’s American Evolution commemoration awaits visitors at Greater Williamsburg. The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown would attract even more visiting families and they can take a historical walk through the lanes decorated with exclusive exhibits. Water coasters that glide through mysterious tunnels would make the visitors awestruck. Then there are swing rides that reach up to 80 feet and speeds up to 45mph. You can bring out your explorer side by visiting the world-class living history museums and have lots of family fun with rides in theme parks.     7. Seattle   This city is getting transformed with renovations, especially the Sky View Observatory and the world-famous Nordic Museum. This city which is one of the leading family vacation places in the US has many of the finest iconic structures which include Space Needle. It has the world’s first and foremost revolving glass floor which is suspended 500 feet above the city.     8. Cody   In 2019, Cody would welcome visitors with the 100th anniversary special creative concerts, and other events that would feature nightly rodeos. An annual rodeo event is crafted to honor the city’s founder. Historic women get honored throughout the state in remembrance of the Wyoming Territory approval of the first law in U.S. history granting women the right to vote. These holiday destinations are meant to energize your body and soul and it would definitely be a different experience for your entire family who wants to take a break from the hectic daily schedules.  

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Tips to Boost the Immune System of Your Child

Your body is prone to chronic and acute diseases if your immune system is weak. Following are the symptoms of a weak immune system:   Regular and Recurring Respiratory Ailments: These ailments start with mild flu and symptoms gradually increase and result in different types of allergic reactions like asthma. The worst case is pneumonia. Non-seasonal flu must be treated with care because this might be a symptom of a weak immune system.   Rapid Changes in Body Weight: The weak immune system is the main culprit in rapid changes in weight. The body’s ability to process food energy is lost when the immune system is weakened. When food is not processed, you will have less energy and gain or loss in body weight. Boosting the immune system is easy by making a few lifestyle changes.   How to increase immunity? The immune system is the major defense mechanism of the human body. This attacks intruder which causes diseases and illnesses and protects the body. This system comprises of complex biological structures and processes. The organs that create a barrier to prevent the invasion of foreign bodies include skin, liver, kidney, and bloodstream. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, similarly, A strong immune system protects your body.There are two main ways to Boost your Immune System:   Naturally Using Medication     Natural Methods to Increase Immunity   Eat Healthy & Hydrate Proper hydration and a diet filled with whole food ingredients and micronutrients can improve your immunity. Water flushes out many toxins from your body and effective detox will allow the body to better absorb nutrients and increase energy levels. In this way, the immune system is strengthened and the body gets ready to fight diseases. Include green, leafy vegetables and other fruits and vegetables which contain antioxidants. Carotene helps your body to fight against cancer.Junk food would do not much good for your immune system. It just fills the advertiser’s pockets. Eating right would avoid the usage of vitamin supplements.   Sleep Smart! Getting into deep sleep mode is a dream for many these days. We grow increasingly anxious about studies, work, and many other factors and that is the reason why Insomnia and associated difficulties are always on the rise. Poor sleep can become a habit, and this alters biological clock which has adverse effects on Immunity.The body has a self-Défense and repair mechanism. Proper sleep is needed for activating this mechanism. During sleep, most of the body functions slow down and that is when repairs happen. If there is no sleep natural repair that is affected and this further weakens the immune system.   Burn some Calories! Getting the right type of exercise is no more a luxury. Cardio activities release good hormones which in turn has a great impact on brain stimulation and physical wellbeing. Good workout sessions are a great way to release stress. A relaxed body can generate greater ideas and the mind becomes open to accept fresher concepts. Indoor and outdoor exercises are a good way of building a strong immune system. Burning fat is essential for the proper metabolic process. Moreover, a great body is a great motivation for self-love. Endorphins are released during workout sessions; this reduces stress and stimulates pleasure.Chocolates are famous for boosting mood. This is a proven way to relieve stress and make you happy. A person in a good mood is less prone to illnesses. Anxiety is the key cause of immunity-related diseases. There are many similar food items that are well known to reduce anxiety and boostimmunity.   Laughter is the Best Medicine! This is a proven scientific fact. No wonder comedians are the highest-paid community in Entertainment Industry. Laughter clubs are on the rise because science has proven that laughing a lot of everyday releases stress hormones and this, in turn, strengthens the immune system. Healthy laughter is the key to a worry-free lifestyle.Hot and cold bath, Spa, Sauna are all excellent ways to boost your immune system. Go for a total detoxification program which would include diet modifications, exercise modules, yoga and meditation, positivity lessons and much more. Fun and socialization are excellent techniques torelieve stress and this has a positive effect on the immune system as well.Be wise and choose what fits you best! Be it a diet program or a new workout schedule. Blind imitations may not work always. Know your body and the immune mechanism by consulting with an expert in the field and choose the detoxification programs. Stay away from negative gossips and television programs which would increase anxiety and negativity. Our body is not a machine, it needs natural inputs to function properly. Supplements are good when taken cautiously and in moderation. Try out these tips and it surely will have a positive reflection!   Medications to Improve Immunity   Omega 3 Fatty Acids Omega 3 fatty acids are present in fish oil . cod liver oil. This prevents inflammation attack by toxins and pathogens, good for the brain and helps with focus.   Vitamin D3 Vitamin D3 helps kids and adults to fight against the virus causing common flu and cold. It is also vital in building strong bones and strengthening immunity against chronic diseases.   Vitamin C Vitamin C is essential in repairing damaged blood cells, bones and tissues. Vitamin C helps kids to strengthen their gums as well. Children from 3 to 8 years age will need abut 25 milligrams of Vitamin C per day, however it is not advised to give vitamin tablets to kids under 12 years of age unless its necessary and prescribed by a doctor.  

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School Nurse Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities of School Nurses is not a stagnant criterion. This varies according to situations and getting nurses prepared for any forthcoming student emergency is the prime motto of Eduhealth. NASN, the National Association of School Nurses is one of the foremost authorities which prescribes rules and regulations for School Nurses. Main aim is to promote health services and education for students.     Provide Healthcare Services: Healthcare services should be provided when it is needed. Timing and precision are important in this aspect. Following are the points to be taken care of during this process:   Identifying and managing chronic health conditions like asthma. Monitoring students for health conditions and sports injuries. Providing priority care using sophisticated technologies and user interfaces. Creative alarms to alert school officials about emergencies. Identifying special needs specific to each student to align the healthcare needs.   Promote Health Care Education:   Provide and distribute health information and knowledge through portal. Take part in community initiatives which specifically promote student health. Promote Health care education and awareness through social media.   Take initiatives in providing healthcare services   Collaborate with colleagues to take initiative for Healthcare services Take measures to streamline processes by reducing costs Initiate process quality activities and measure results.   Screen and refer students for health conditions   Track student’s data and go through the screening process. Screen students for care needs. Identify and refer students for improving health conditions.   Promote a healthy school environment.   Promote preventive measures to avoid illnesses. Create awareness amongst students about possible injuries and illnesses. Get help from qualified experts to promote a healthy environment.   Assume leadership for health policies and programs.   Health policies and programs to be created and implemented. Leadership clubs to be formed to share ideas related to health policies and programs Create and adhere to event alerts and news.   Advocate for students with disabilities who have special health care needs.   Track and identify students with disabilities. Monitor their health regularly through the portal. Identify special health care needs and implement solutions.  

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