• RN                                                                              SN
    Ann Renk RN BSN
    School Nurse
    Office hours 8:00-4:00 p.m.

    phone: (817) 547-4612
    fax: (817) 547-4605
    ann.renk@birdvilleschools.net

     

    Help prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), flu and other illnesses by:

    • Staying home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
    • Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. 
    • Wash hands for 20 seconds. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol.

    Click here for more information from the CDC regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Click here for information from the CDC on When and How to Wash Your Hands.

    Click here for information on What to do if you have the Coronavirus. 

    HEALTH OFFICE REMINDERS

    1. Keep your emergency contact information current.
    2. Report communicable disease. For example: Coronavius (COVID-19), flu, strep, chicken pox, lice, etc.
    3. All medications must have a Doctor's written order ... even over the counter ones like Tylenol and eye drops.

    HEALTHY STUDENTS MAKE BETTER LEARNERS

    It is recommended that your student should stay at home if any of these symptoms exist:

    • Fever 100.0 or greater
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
    • A rash with fever
    • Sore throat
    • Persistent coughing or breathing problems
    • Loss of appetite
    • Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or the skin
    • Persistent irritability or crying
    • Unusual tireness
    • Redness or drainage from eyes
    • Severe cold symptoms
    • Students should return to school
      • when temperature is normal for the past 24 hours without fever-reducing medication,
      • when diarrhea and or vomiting has stopped for a full 24 hours without the aid of medication,
      • after student takes prescribed antibiotic medication for 24 hours prior to returning to school,
      • and the student feels well enough to be in school for a full day.

    How does the flu spread?

    Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Flu viruses also may spread when people touch something with the flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose. People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.

    What are everyday preventive actions?

    Everyday preventive actions are steps that people can take to help slow the spread of germs that cause the flu. These include the following personal and community actions:

    • Cover your nose and mouth with the crook of your elbow or upper arm when you cough or sneeze. This will block the spread of droplets from your mouth or nose that could contain the flu virus.
    • Proper and consistent hand washing is essential. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet if it is not automatic. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer; apply to palm of one hand; rub hands together covering all surfaces until dry.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as germs spread this way.
    • Avoid sharing objects. If an activity requires the passing around of an object, be sure to wash hands afterwards.
    • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
    • If you or your child gets sick with a respiratory illness, like flu, limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent spreading the illness. Stay home (or keep your child home) for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to seek medical care. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
    • Disinfect common surfaces.
    • If an outbreak of flu occurs, follow public health advice. This may include information about how to increase distance between people and other measures

    Vaccine

    • It is recommended that all students receive a flu shot it not medically contraindicated.
      Texas Department of State Health Services website
    • If your child is uninsured or under-insured, visit the Williamson County Health Department or Travis County Health Department for a listing of immunization and flu shot clinics.
    • For questions about immunization, contact your campus nurse.
    • For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control

    Do your part to stop the spread of flu at home

    CDC Current U.S. Flu Activity (click map)

    CDC Current US Flu Activity     

    Resources

     Who is at high risk from flu? CDC Link