Jefferson County Health Department,

Home Health & Hospice

1212 Walnut – U.S. Hwy 59, Oskaloosa, KS 66066-4200

Phone (785) 403-0025

Public Health Fax (785) 863-2652 Home Health & Hospice Fax (785) 863-3323

Email: jchd@jfcountyks.com Website: www.jfcountyks.com

Clinic Days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-4:30

Email the School Nurse

CHILD HEALTH TIPS

EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS IS ENCOURAGED.

Students and staff are encouraged to stay home when sick.

  • Students, parents, and staff need to understand the importance of staying home when sick until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm, flushed appearance, or sweating) without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

Respiratory etiquette. See Cover Your Cough.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their bent arm. If you use a tissue, you should put the used tissue in a trash can and wash your hands.

  • Provide adequate supplies within easy reach, including tissues and no-touch trash cans.

Handwashing Saves Lives

Norovirus Fact Sheet

10 PEDIATRIC TIPS FOR PARENTS

Physicians from The University of Kansas Health System's pediatrics team offer 10 proven tips you can start today to help keep your family healthy.

  • Get flu shots. Children are especially at risk because of their underdeveloped immune systems, but it’s an easy preventive health measure recommended for the whole family.

  • Take vitamin D. 400 IU daily is recommended for children and adults. Check with your personal pediatrician for information.

  • Stop smoking. Parents shouldn’t smoke. Keep trying to quit until you succeed. Don't give up. While you’re kicking the habit, don’t smoke inside your home or car to prevent second-hand smoke exposure.

  • Eat dinner together. You’ll learn a lot by eating dinner together and it’s a good time to share information as well as healthy food. Make sure to turn off TV, radio, cell phones and iPods.

  • Limit screen time. Limit viewing to 2 hours per night on school nights for TV, computer or smartphone. Instead of screen time, help your child study, have a conversation, read them a story or encourage them to read. The doctor says to continue this throughout the teenage years.

  • Get a good night's sleep. At least 8 hours a night are recommended for children and their parents.

  • Be active. Find time to walk and play with your children. Daily activity including outdoor play should be practiced all winter long. Make sure to bundle up. Leave the cell phone on silent.

  • Take shoes off at the door. Don’t wear shoes in the house. This prevents tracking in dirt and germs. Your house will be cleaner as a bonus and your family will stay healthier.

  • Maintain fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Keep a working extinguisher ($20 variety) in the kitchen, garage, and basement. Likewise, install smoke alarms throughout the home especially near bedrooms.

  • Switch and turn. Change your furnace filter every 3 months to keep everyone breathing easy. Turn the hot water thermostat down to 120 degrees to avoid scalding. Your dishwasher will still work just fine.

DOES YOUR CHILD’S VACCINE RECORD MEET COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS?

As your child prepares for college there are many things on your checklist that need to be completed.

Take the time now to have your child’s immunization record reviewed and obtain the immunizations required for college attendance. This is one thing you can check off your list early!

Most students living in a dormitory during their freshman year are required to have a meningococcal vaccine to protect them from bacterial meningitis, a serious infection. Even when treated with antibiotics, 10-15% of the people who get this disease die. Of those who survive, another 11-19% are left with serious lifelong health challenges.

Even if your teen won’t be in college next year, know that many teens have not yet received this vaccine. If your teen 11-19 years of age hasn’t received it yet, a dose is recommended now.

Vaccines may be obtained through your child’s primary care provider or your local health department. The Jefferson County Health Department has walk-in clinic hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8am – 4pm.