Mrs. Melissa Mauriello

FAMILY ASTHMA AND ALLERGY EDUCATION DAY: Saturday March 6th from 8:30 am-1 pm at Shawnee Mission West High School 8800 W.85th St. Overland Park, KS sponsored by the Allergy & Asthma foundation of America. Brochures were sent home with students that include registration and the agenda. Let me know if you have not received one and are interested in attending. This is a great interactive opportunity for families to learn about asthma and allergies and what to do to control how the condition affects their lives.

What’s Going Around: The health room has been busy with viral illnesses including colds, nausea and vomiting, a few cases of strep throat, one case of head lice and one case of chicken pox.

FLU vs. Common Cold: The Seasonal Flu is an upper respiratory virus that comes on SUDDENLY, most symptoms include High Fever (over 101),chills, headache, body aches, a DRY COUGH, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. It is not “the stomach flu”. See your doctor immediately; best within the first 24hrs, since some strains of the virus respond to certain anti-viral medications. The Seasonal Flu is already starting in our school district, although we have not yet had any cases reported at Meadow Lane. It’s not too late to get your seasonal Fu shot for this year.

A third wave of the H1N1 virus is anticipated in the early spring. If you or your child has not received the vaccine yet, you may receive it for free at the Johnson County Health Dept. Olathe clinic-894-2525 or at your physician’s office where you will probably be charged an administration fee.

The Common cold is a virus that usually presents with a runny nose, low grade fever (under 100 degrees), mild sore throat, congestion, and comes on gradually.

Project Alert for 6th graders continues in March with the Nurse presenting a lesson on inhalant abuse.

Kindergarteners will learn how germs are spread and good hand washing with the help of Glo-germ. Glo-germ is a non-toxic lotion that lights up with an ultraviolet light in the areas where students neglect to wash their hands well.