Prevention can avoid illness

Rector School District nurse Lorna McCluskey tends to young Torrie Rodriguez. (Democrat photo/Ryan Rogers) [Click to enlarge]

As fall approaches, so does the time of year when many are visited by seasonal illnesses such as colds and influenza. While the occasional sickness is often inevitable, there are several precautions parents can take to help their children avoid more serious health risks which may lead to school absences.

"Fall is one of the worst times for allergies to flair up," said Lorna McCluskey, nurse for the Rector School District. "Also, as the temperature outside becomes colder, we see more and more students with colds and, eventually, the flu."

While colds and allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medication, it is recommended that those battling sickness visit their physicians if their symptoms continue.

"If you can't see improvement within a few days, it's best to check with your healthcare provider," McCluskey said. "If something as minor as a cold is left untreated or lingers around too long, it may turn into something worse."

Definitely falling into the realm of "something worse" is the dreaded flu. McCluskey recommends students and parents strongly consider flu shots as a preventative step in avoiding the seasonal illness.

"Flu season usually peaks around late fall to early winter. Most of the time, the flu shots are available in October and November. It's a good idea to check with your healthcare provider to see when the shots are available and get vaccinated," she said.

While the fall and winter seasons bring about changes to the weather which can lead to increased exposure to illnesses, some risks can run year-long.

"Another preventative measure parents can take is head lice checks at home," McCluskey said. "While we do checks here at school, it never hurts to take that extra step to make sure your child is treated if needed. With the internet available in so many households, there are very good pictures available on several websites to help parents identify lice. If you find something, but you're not sure it's head lice, you can report it to the school and we'll examine it. It's important to identify any cases of head lice so that steps can be taken to stop it from spreading not only in the school, but also at home."

Also, it's important to make sure any skin issues are properly handled, McCluskey said. With students leading very active lives, cuts and scrapes are a very common occurrence.

"Any sores or scrapes need be cleaned, treated properly and covered with a bandage. If the injury persists and doesn't improve, it could get infected and lead to health complications. It's important to keep an eye on any scrapes or cuts that your child may have in order to prevent them becoming something much worse."

McCluskey recommends annual vision, dental and general wellness checkups for all.

"Preventative care in these areas can be worth a lot," she said. "Often, we don't realize the extent of vision or dental problems until actually going in for an examination. Also, many insurance policies offer free wellness checkups or have a wellness plan with free or reduced costs for these exams. Check with your family doctor and insurance provider to learn more about what all your policy offers."

Good hygiene also is a part of avoiding health concerns, McCluskey noted. This week is National Handwashing Week, but the importance of limiting the spread of germs can be observed year-round through the use of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer.

"Our hands come into contact with so many things over the course of a day," McCluskey said. "It's important to make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. There are also hand sanitizers available which help with germs."

While the occasional sickness is often a part of life, there are steps which can be taken to help limit poor health.

"These minor preventions could significantly reduce your chances for more serious health problems," McCluskey said.