Students must be HEALTHY to be EDUCATED, and EDUCATED to be HEALTHY.

Health Services

Graford ISD Health services is dedicated to ensuring students are well and able to engage in the learning process. Our school nurse serves as the liason between families, healthcare professionals and school personnel. We are excited to partner with parents to help ur students grow and reach their potential.

Kelli Glover

kglover@grafordisd.net

Children who have the following symptoms should stay home and not come to school until these symptoms have been gone for at least 24 hours without the help of medication, or until your doctor sends a note that states the condition is not contagious and it is OK for your child to come back to school.

FEVER – check your child’s temperature with a thermometer, and if a fever over 100 degrees is present, don’t send him or her to school, even for just a little while in the morning so that they can have "perfect attendance."  Responsible attendance is more important than perfect attendance in the long run, and parents who use common sense and make healthy decisions about keeping their children home are the ones who should get the attendance rewards!

It doesn’t help your child’s health to give medicine for fever and send them on to school…that only reduces the fever for a short time, and doesn’t take care of the illness that is causing the fever.  Coming to school sick (and possibly contagious) not only exposes other children to the illness, but also delays your child’s healing time. Once the medicine wears off and the fever returns, your child must be picked up anyway, and valuable healing time has been lost.

Children must be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of medication, before returning to school.

VOMITING/DIARRHEA – If the vomiting or diarrhea happens more than once that day, or if they are associated with fever, you must keep your child home. If these things happen only one time before school starts, and your child feels better immediately afterwards, your child may attend school. If the child begins to feel ill or the symptoms recur the child will need to see the school nurse and will be sent home. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours, without the use of medication, before returning to school.

SKIN RASHES –   Anytime a rash is associated with fever, the child may not come to school until that fever is gone for 24 hours without medication. Sometimes a rash is a sign of a contagious disease such as chickenpox. Sometimes, rashes are not contagious, but are uncomfortable and itchy from contact with something the child is allergic to. In that case, although school is certainly a good option, please consider comfort measures such as an antihistamine, following the district policy for medication administration at school and discussing possible treatment with your doctor and/or the school nurse.

RED EYES, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS ALSO DRAINAGE OR CRUSTING AROUND THE EYE -this can often mean your child has conjunctivitis, also known as pink-eye. If both eyes are red and the drainage is clear with no crusting the diagnosis is most likely allergies. The student should remain at school. If the eye/eyes are red and the drainage is yellow or there is crusting the diagnosis is most likely pink eye. In this case, the student will need to see a physician's release or be symptom free to return to school.

PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE) OR SCABIES – these small insects cause skin conditions that are uncomfortable and itchy, and could become infected with all the scratching.  Check with the school nurse to get information on treatment and when your child may return to school if those conditions are present. We do not advocate expensive treatments or toxic chemicals!

If your child has other symptoms such as headaches, cramps, sore throat, cough and/or thick mucous that don’t require them to be out of school but that will make them uncomfortable during class, please discuss the use of over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications with your doctor.  Remember you must follow the district requirements for giving medicine at school. Call the school nurse if you are not sure about those requirements.

Kids who are truly sick will heal better and faster when they have proper rest at home, with healthy nutrition and plenty of fluid for hydration. We will always do our best to help you make a good decision based on our experience and knowledge as nurses, after considering the potential for spreading infections at school and what is in all the children’s best interests.

Remember if your child is ill and is unable to attend school, please send a written note including your child's name, ID number if applicable and a short explanation of your child's illness.

For questions or for more information please contact our Nurse Kelli Glover at kglover@grafordisd.net or 940-664-3101.

Bacterial Meningitis

What Is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord---also called the meninges. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral (aseptic) meningitis is common; most people recover fully. Medical management of viral meningitis consists of supportive treatment and there is usually no indication for the use of antibiotics. Parasitic and fungal meningitis are very rare. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and may involve complicated medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and life support management.

There are two common types of bacteria that cause meningitis:

Strep pneumoniae causes pneumococcal meningitis; there are over 80 subtypes that cause illness
Neisseria meningitidis—meningococcal meningitis; there are 5 subtypes that cause serious illness—A, B, C, Y, W-135

What Are The Symptoms?

Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.

Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have:

Severe headache
High temperature
Vomiting
Sensitivity to bright lights
Neck stiffness, joint pains
Drowsiness or confusion

*In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots or bruises caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. They are a sign of blood poisoning (septicemia), which sometimes happens with meningitis, particularly the meningococcal strain.

How Serious Is Bacterial Meningitis?

If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases, it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability, such as deafness, blindness, amputations, or brain damage (resulting in mental retardation or paralysis) even with prompt treatment.

How Is Bacterial Meningitis Spread?

Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).

The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks, or even months. Being a carrier helps to stimulate your body's natural defense system.

The bacteria rarely overcomes the body's immune system and causes meningitis or another serious illness.

What Is The Risk Of Getting Bacterial Meningitis?

The risk of getting bacterial meningitis in all age groups is about 2.4 cases per 100,000 population per year. However, the highest risk group for the most serious form of the disease, meningococcal meningitis, is highest among children 2 to 18 years old.

How Is Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood. Spinal fluid is obtained by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

How Can Bacterial Meningitis Be PREVENTED?

Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.

Vaccines against pneumococcal disease are recommended both for young children and adults over 64. A vaccine against four meningococcal serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) is available. These four groups cause the majority of meningococcal cases in the United States. This vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85-90%). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10 days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to 5 years.

What You Should Do If You Think You Or A Friend Might Have Bacterial Meningitis?

Seek prompt medical attention.

For More Information

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local health department or Regional Texas Department of Health office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services.