School Nurse

Debbie Shields, RN, BSN
SCHOOL NURSE 
[email protected]
 

* * NEWS and EVENTS * *
* * * * * * 
STREP THROAT 
We are seeing a few cases of strep throat this week. (3/18-22/2024) 

Strep Throat is a sore throat caused by streptococcal bacteria.

Strep bacteria is in nose and mouth secretions so it can be coughed, sneezed or smeared around on hands, dishes, food, toys and similar objects.
The incubation period is two to five days.  

Diagnosis of strep throat is made by a throat culture performed by your doctor. Strep infections are treated with an oral antibiotic for 10 days.

Children and staff should be excluded until 24 hours after beginning antibiotic therapy and until there is no fever present.

Read more about strep and scarlet fever by going to the Nurse’s webpage on the CES website under ‘Our Students”.  


NEW COVID/RESPIRATORY VIRUS GUIDELINES
As the threat from COVID-19 becomes more similar to that of other common respiratory viruses, CDC is issuing Respiratory Virus Guidance, rather than additional virus-specific guidance. This brings a unified, practical approach to addressing risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as influenza and RSV, that have similar routes of transmission and symptoms and similar prevention strategies. 
The latest from the CDC.....(click on this link)

New Guidelines for COVID and Respiratory Viruses



HealthFirst Family Care Center

October 2023, the Mascoma Community Health Center began a new partnership with HealthFirst Family Care Center out of Franklin and Laconia New Hampshire.  The HealthFirst Family Care Center offers all the same services (and more to come) including primary care, behavioral health, an MAT program and dental care.  For more information on HealthFirst go to:  healthfirstfamily.org

FREE COVID TESTS
Go to:  COVIDtests.gov to order up to 4 free COVID tests.

VISION SCREENING REFERRALS - FOLLOW UP
Did you receive notice that your child needs a follow up evaluation by an eye doctor?  Did your child see an eye doctor?  What was the result?  Thank you for contacting the school nurse with the results of the visit.
Need some support to schedule an appointment, pay for the visit or glasses, or help with transportation?    THE LIONS CLUB provides financial assistance to families for eye exams and glasses.  Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information or if you have any questions or concerns about the screening.

A huge shout out and THANK YOU to the Canaan Lions Club for providing this very comprehensive vision screening exam and support services for children to get the care and treatment for healthy vision.



MEDICAID DENTAL INSURANCE FOR ADULTS 
Adults in New Hampshire's Medicaid program will have access to cleanings, fillings, X-rays and other basic dental care under a new benefit that began April 1.  Contact your Medicaid office for more information.