Clinic Volunteers

 To volunteer, email Mrs. Neff at clinic@olvpatriots.org.

Clinic Reminders

KIDS WITH COLDS

The news is full of cautions about giving small children over the counter medications for colds. The drug companies are going to change their labels asking that you not give children under 4 years of age these products. The danger is in accidental overdose for young children. For school age children, it can cause them to be excessively groggy, making it hard for them to concentrate on their work, or increase their heart rate and make them feel weird. With a doctor's permission, Tylenol and ibuprofen can be used for elevated temperatures.

Dr. Brad Weselman of Kids Health First Pediatric Alliance suggests the following alternative medicines to bring relief from those stuffy noses and scratchy throats:

• Saline nasal spray can also be used as nasal drops can be used for stuffy noses
• A humidifier can help moisturize nasal passages
• Plenty of rest; naps and taking it easy are key to recovery
• Popsicles can help soothe throats
• Peach syrup from canned peaches is good
• Chicken soup is easy on the tummy
• Vaseline; place a small dab on the upper lip to alleviate chafing from a runny nose

Help your children stay well with frequent hand washing.

Nancy Neff R.N. OLV Clinic

This information was taken from "Pulse", a magazine for health care professionals, October 2008.

Safety of Vaccines Emphasized Amid Outbreaks of Measles

     Measles cases in the United States are at the highest level in more then a decade, nearly half of those children are those whose parents rejected vaccination.

     Worried doctors are troubled by the trend fueled by unfounded fears that vaccines may cause autism. Parents are asking more questions. The Academy of Pediatrics has made educating parents about the safety of vaccines one of its top priorities this year.

     Questions commonly center on autism and the fear that it can be caused by the measles shots or by a mercury-based preservative that used to be in most vaccines. Health officials say there is no good scientific proof their is a cause. Also, since 2001, the preservative has been removed from shots recommended for young children, and it was never in the measles-mumps-rubella combination vaccine. It can still be found in some flu shots.

[Parts of this article were quoted from the Atlanta Journal and Constitution 8/22/08]

New Policy Regarding Inhalers

Medications

According to the current Archdiocesan policy, the school cannot administer ANY medication without a medication consent form being completed. (See below for forms) Even if you are sending in an over-the-counter medication, please come into the school and fill out the official form. Handwritten notes cannot be accepted, even for cough drops! If the medication is a prescription, the prescribing health care provider must fill out and sign the bottom of the form, which can be faxed. Our fax number is 770-306-0323.

Printable Forms

Immunizations

New 2007 Georgia Immunization Requirements for Kindergarten!

Immunization Rules for 6th Grade Students

The Nurse's Nook

Hello and welcome to the 2008-2009 school year. I am looking forward to seeing all of the students and their parents. I hope you will consider volunteering to help in the clinic. I will be in the clinic from 10am-1pm daily. You can volunteer as often as your schedule permits. I fill out a schedule one month at a time. I will hold orientation in September. Volunteers will not be administering medications.

Please print and fill out the health forms required for all  over the counter medications and topical ointments. These must be signed by the students' legal guardian or parent. All prescription medication forms must be signed by the physician, not just stamped with the office stamp.

You are welcome to stop by the clinic anytime.

Thank you,

Nancy Neff R.N., Clinic

Health wise

This is a time of year that allergies can act up. The ragweed count is climbing, especially with the lack of rain. To help keep allergy symptoms to a minimum, here are a few suggestions:

• If you take allergy medication, take it consistently throughout the allergy season
• Minimize your exposure to the allergen by limiting outdoor play
• Change clothes after coming indoors
• Keep the air conditioner on.

REMEMBER THE SUN IS STILL STRONG! Please use sunscreen if your child is outdoors between the hours of 10am and 2pm.