
Welcome
to Rio Rancho Public Schools
Healthy Snacking ideas from Nurse Susan!
From Nurse Susan: Protect your child from the FLU!
Influenza (Flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by the influenza virus. It is more than a cold. It is not just vomiting and diarrhea. Most people will feel tired, achy and have a high fever.
Symptoms also include a dry cough, red eyes, sore throat and runny nose. The cough can last two weeks. Ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia can be complications of the flu. The flu causes asthma symptoms to become worse.
What can you do to protect your child from getting the flu?
It helps if everyone in the family gets a flu vaccine. The flu is spread easily in schools where others may be coughing, sneezing and have runny noses. Groceries carts may be contaminated with the flu virus. Gym equipment may harbor the virus as well. Everyday you can take steps to prevent the spread of flu by washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping your hands away from your face.
The best way to protect against the flu is to have your child vaccinated. It has to be done every year. Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older. A nasal spray vaccine can be given to children 2 years and older. The flu shot has to be given to those children who have asthma or another medical condition.
Things to Remember
All medication will be administered according to the RRPS medication policies
and procedures. A complete copy of these policies and procedures can be obtained
by clicking here, or by visiting the school health office. Medicines
must be in their original containers. A medication form must be completed
by the parent for all medicines to be administered.
Immunization Updates
Your child will need to have immunization
updates after their 4th birthday. Please bring a copy of the
updated shot record to the clinic so that we may update your child’s
shot records. If your child is sick at the time of the scheduled appointment,
the physician may elect to give the immunization depending on their symptoms
and whether or not they are running a fever. Your physician will have a complete
list of needed immunizations. Sandoval County Public Health Offices provides
free immunizations for children ages 0-18 to those families with no insurance.
You may contact them for appointment times at 867-2291.
When
can your child return to school?
1) When your child has been fever free for 24 hours without the aide of fever
reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol or Motrin).
2) When your child can hold down solid foods without nausea or vomiting.
3) When your child has had no diarrhea for 24 hours.
Time to get the wax out?
Never use a Q-tip or insert anything into your child’s ear drum as you
can easily puncture the ear drum that way. There is no reason to clean ear
wax out of your child’s ear as it will come out on its own. Using a
Q-tip will only pack the wax farther into the ear canal causing what is known
as a “wax impaction”. Wax impactions can affect the hearing if
left untreated. When cleaning your child’s ears, use a wet washcloth
or cotton swab to clean the outside of the ear canal. Consult your pediatrician
if there is a concern about wax build up so that it can be removed safely.
You
can also visit this website to read all about ear wax!