New Egypt High School

• fever of 100 degrees or over
• undiagnosed rashes
• vomiting
• fainting
• red, inflamed eyes (pink eye) until diagnosed and treated if necesary
• impetigo (a contagious skin condition, with crusty areas, especially around the nose and mouth)
• ringworm
• scabies (excluded until appropriate medical treatment)
• common childhood diseases as found in the state regulations
• strep throat (following a positive culture, the child must be on antibiotics and fever free for 24 hours before returning to school)

Students sent home ill, with elevated temperatures, vomiting or diarrhea are asked to be kept home until symptom-free for 24 hours.   

For every flu season, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is recommending that children in school receive an annual influenza (flu) vaccination. For children in pre-school it is mandated that they receive the flu vaccine. This vaccination protects against a highly contagious airborne virus.  The flu is characterized by a rapid onset of fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat and a moderate to severe cough.  One of the hallmarks of influenza is its high attack rate.  The flu season can start as early as October and last through until May.  Many drug chains and physicians are already offering the flu shot.  It may be a good idea to get on board. 

Guidance for School and Childcare Settings for Influenza according to the NJ Department of Education recommend that schools and childcare settings increase education on respiratory hygiene and monitor attendees for acute febrile respiratory illness.  The Influenza vaccine in both the nasal spray and injection is available through the Ocean County Health Department for details call the OCHD at 732-341-9700 or their website at www.ochd.org.  The flu vaccine is also available at local pharmacies or at your primary care provider's office. 

Staff and children should all be taught and asked to follow these steps that prevent the transmission of infections such as influenza:  Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. Stay home if you're sick, especially with a fever.  The hygiene practices listed are important to remember all year long.

Important Links for your health:  

One way to provide your family with health care is to visit www.healthcare.gov/ providing affordable health care through the Affordable Health Care Act.  New Jersey FamilyCare can also provide free or low cost health insurance for children and their parents. Please call 1-800-701-0710  or visit their website at www.njfamilycare.org   If you need any assistance or more information call the nursing office at 758-6800 Ext. 1409.

It is recommended that all 10th graders have a health physical.  The best physical is by your own medical care provider if this is not possible contact the Nursing Office for assistance. 

Dental care is so important for your child’s general health, and healthy teeth can help your child eat, play, and even learn!

The Ocean County Health Department would like to offer dentist services to your child through one of two Federally Qualified Health Centers (CHEMED), located in Lakewood 732-364-2144, or Ocean Health Initiatives in Toms River 732-363-6655.  This would include a check-up, filling of cavities, and any other service that is needed.   They accept NJFamilyCare, Medicaid, Private Insurance and self-pay on a sliding scale.

Any low income Ocean County resident may qualify for free eye examinations by calling the Ocean County Health Department at 1-732-341-9700 Ext. 7604 or 1-800-342-9738 Ext. 7604.  To note, the eye examination does not include glasses or contacts.

There is a program for medication prescriptions for New Jersey residents at the following web site www.pparx.org or call 1-888-793-6765. You may be eligible if you have minimal or no prescription drug coverage.  For example, a family of four making $47,000 can qualify.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING PEANUT ALLERGY

• Peanut Allergy - What You Need To Know 
   The Peanut Problem 
   Peanuts, a cheap source of dietary protein predominantly ingested as peanut butter, have indeed become one of the world's most allergenic foods. They are, unfortunately, progressively finding their way into more and more food products either directly, or by indirect contamination of food products during the manufacturing process. Peanut may be designated on a food label in a less easily recognized term such as "hydrolysed vegetable protein" or "groundnuts". It is important to realize that for the sensitive person, this is a lifelong allergy, and that even trace amounts can kill.

The Allergic (Anaphylactic) Shock Reaction 
 This reaction can begin and proceed rapidly, occasionally proving fatal within minutes. It must be treated with epinephrine immediately at the first signs of reaction, and the reaction may recur after initial therapy so that ongoing observation and care are required. Possible symptoms of reaction to peanuts may include (not necessarily in this order): 

• sense of foreboding, fear, or apprehension
• flushed face, hives, swollen or itchy lips, mouth, eyes, or tongue
• tightness in mouth, chest or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling, wheezing, choking, coughing
• running nose, voice change
• vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains
• dizziness, unsteadiness, sudden fatigue, rapid heartbeat, chills
• pallor, loss of consciousness, coma, death

Treatment 

• Carry and know how to use in-date epinephrine (Epi-Pen®, Ana-Kit ®) at all times.
• Use epinephrine immediately for a peanut reaction
• Have a second epinephrine dose available if necessary.
• Send to a nearby hospital quickly after epinephrine use.

Lifestyle Adjustments 

• The sensitive individuals must recognize that they are different and know they can die of a reaction.
• Some individuals also must avoid other foods in the legume family e.g. soya bean, pea, and garbanzo (chickpea) if allergy to these has been previously demonstrated.
• Education of friends, relatives and acquaintances is essential.
•  New Egypt High School has a peanut/nut free table in the cafeteria and no peanuts/nuts in the classrooms.

Meningococcal Education Brochure concerining the menningoccal vaccine (required to enter 6th grade) and important disease information is available at   http://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/meningo.shtml  (copy and paste)