Head back to school with this health checklist
By JOY BUCHANAN
Staff Writer
The Tennessean
July 17, 2006
You'd think parents throughout Middle Tennessee had back-to-school preparation down pat.
But local school officials say that many parents don't give them basic information, including working phone numbers or lists of medications, to help students in a health emergency.
Besides that, officials have a list of annual reminders for parents and students to heed before descending on their schools in a few weeks. Everything from vaccinations to hand washing would help the school year go more smoothly with fewer health crises for the kids.
Immunizations
"A lot of kids come to school and they're not up to date on their immunizations," said Chris Taylor, director of school health care for the Metro Public Health Department.
The state Department of Health requires all children entering school to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), varicella (chicken pox), polio and Hepatitis B. Visit http://www2.state.tn.us/health/CEDS/required.htm, for the complete immunization schedule required by the state.
"My kid's a pincushion these days," is a common complaint from parents, Taylor said, but another shot isn't so bad. "This is really where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Some school officials recommend the following shots:
Hepatitis A: This virus causes inflammation of the liver and happens more often in children and young adults, according to the state health department. Symptoms include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, dark urine and jaundice (yellow skin). The illness can damage the liver.
