Student Health Services

Head lice, although not an illness or a disease, is very common among children and is spread very easily through head-to-head contact during play, sports, or nap time and when children share things like brushes, combs, hats, and headphones. Because lice spread so easily, the district will need to exclude any student found to have live lice until after one treatment of an FDA-approved shampoo or cream rinse, which can be purchased from a drug store or grocery store.

If careful observation indicates that a student has head lice, the school nurse will contact the student’s parent and inform the parent that the child will need to be picked up from school and will need to stay home until after an initial treatment is applied. After the student has undergone the treatment, the parent should check in with the school nurse to discuss the treatment used. The nurse can also offer additional recommendations, including subsequent treatments and how best to get rid of lice and prevent their return. More information on head lice can be obtained from the TDSHS website.

Caring for children with diagnosed food allergies at-risk for anaphylaxis in the school setting requires a collaborative partnership with the students, parents, healthcare providers and school staff. FBISD requests to be notified each school year when a student has been diagnosed with a food allergy, especially those allergies that could result in dangerous or life-threatening reactions either by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with the particular food. It is important to disclose the food to which the student is allergic, as well as the nature of the allergic reaction. Please contact the school nurse or campus principal if your child has a known food allergy or as soon as possible after any diagnosis of a food allergy. Flour Bluff ISD has a Food Allergy Management Plan in place to assist students who are identified with a serious food allergy. You may access this plan by calling your school nurse or campus principal.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Alicia Needham, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at 694-9220. See also board policy FFAF.

Guidelines and Procedures For SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION ASTHMA MEDICINE OR ANAPHYLAXIS MEDICINE BY STUDENTS

According to SECTION I. Chapter 38, Sec. 38.013 of the Education Code, a student with asthma and/or anaphylaxis is entitled to possess and self-administer prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity, provided that certain criteria are met. In an effort to meet student needs and still maintain a safe environment with regard to medications in the school setting, the following procedures have been developed and incorporated into Administrative Regulation FFAC (LEGAL).

A form titled Parent/Physician Authorization for Self-Administration of Asthma Medication or Anaphylaxis Medicine by A Student, must be completed and kept on file with the campus nurse before a student can possess and self-administer his/her asthma or anaphylaxis medication.

All required documentation will be kept on file in the school clinic and must be renewed annually.

Teachers will be notified of those students in their class who have asthma or anaphylaxis medication in their possession.

Students who do not self-administer their medication in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from their physician, or fail to report to the campus nurse when relief is not obtained after using their medication as directed, will not be able to continue to possess his/her asthma or anaphylaxis medication and self-administer it for the remainder of the school year. Students may also be subject to other disciplinary action as written in the Student Code of Conduct.

Tips for Preventing the Spread of Flu

• Avoid close contact with others who are sick or are beginning to display symptoms


• Stay home if you feel sick and see a doctor as soon as possible


• Fever of 100.0 must remain home and stay home for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication


• Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when coughing or sneezing


• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with antibacterial soap to kill and avoid spreading germs


• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth as germs and bacteria can enter this way and cause illness.


• Get your flu vaccine


• Please notify your campus nurse if your student has been diagnosed by a physician with the flu. Please provide the type of flu, if known.

*Please notify your campus nurse if your student has been diagnosed by a physician with meningitis. Please provide the type of meningitis, if known.

State law specifically requires the District to provide the following information:

What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

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 a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.

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.

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. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness.

How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.
While there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in special circumstances. These include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or for people traveling to a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a 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 percent). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within seven to ten days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.*

What should you do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis?
You should seek prompt medical attention.

Where can you get 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 websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of State Health Services.

Entering college students must now show, with limited exception, evidence of receiving bacterial meningitis vaccination prior to taking courses at an institution of higher education. Please see the school nurse for more information, as this may affect a student who wishes to enroll in a dual credit course taken off campus.
Also refer to Immunizations, for more information see FFAD (LEGAL)