'Tis the Season

It is once again the season of colds and other viral illnesses. The past weeks have seen an increasing number of students visiting the Infirmary for coughs, colds, sore throats, stomachaches, etc. Students who are not well enough to participate in class, those having a persistent cough, acute cold symptoms or fever should remain at home until they have recovered.

Important for all members of the school community to remember is the role of hand washing in reducing illness. The Center for Disease Control states that hand washing is the single most effective means of reducing the spread of infection.

At Campus des Nations students in Year 3 and 4 have been educated on the importance of hand washing. Posters and handwashing reminders have been placed throughout the school. Parents can reinforce the clean hands message with their children at home - hand washing reduces absenteeism in school and has a potential impact on overall school performance due to a reduction in days missed.

Other key ingredients to maintaining good health throughout the winter season include getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, adequate hydration and regular exercise. Something to strive for throughout the entire school year!

(For a humorous - but educational - video on coughing, sneezing and the spread of germs see http://www.coughsafe.com/media.html)

An Overview of Infirmary Activities

The start of the school year is a busy time for the Infirmary. With several hundred new students at Campus des Nations, September is generally spent collecting, reviewing and filing new medical certificates - along with the re-filing of medical certificates for all previously enrolled students. Students who have allergies or medical conditions are noted and individual action plans developed. Parents of children in need of further information are contacted and emergency cards are collected and filed as well. From day 1 of school there is also a fairly steady stream of students visiting the Infirmary, generally for seasonal illness or minor sports-related injuries. It is not until October that there is a chance to look ahead!

Plans for the coming months include health education classes for students in Year 7 (Back Health, with an emphasis on backpacks) and Year 9 (Maximizing Health for Learning), the administration of Influenza vaccinations for staff, and the start of Year 7 health checks. There will as well be an activity for older students related to World AIDS Day.

If you would like to contact the Infirmary for any reason, please do so: virginia.odell at ecolint.ch

Hearing and Hearing Testing

Our world is noisy: our ages ears are bombarded with noise from multiple sources. Studies have proven that prolonged exposure to loud noises causes hearing loss at increasingly younger ages. Noise-induced hearing loss is a permanent condition that can affect your child’s ability to learn and retain information.

Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable, however. Parents should be adamant that their children

• Turn down the volume (if you have to shout it is too loud) and use personal music players with volume control


• Wear earplugs at events where noise levels are high (music, sports, etc.)


• Reduce the amount of time playing games with very high noise levels (e.g. video arcades)

Campus des Nations now has an audiometer – and hearing tests have been undertaken on all students in year 4. Testing will as well take place at Pregny in these last few weeks at school. In the coming school year, hearing testing will be added to the Year 7 health checks, as well being available to any students whose hearing is in question.

Measles

For those parents who are unaware, there is currently a measles (rougeole) epidemic in Switzerland. In recent weeks cases have been reported in the Canton Vaud.

Measles is a normal childhood infection – most children who have it will simply have cold-like symptoms, a rash, fever and general malaise (feel poorly). A small number will go on to have more serious complications, however. In some cases measles can be fatal or lead to permanent disability.

A child who has followed a routine set of childhood vaccinations will have been vaccinated against measles. MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) is one of the standard childhood inoculations. MMR is generally given at 12-18 months of age and again at 4-6 years of age. Vaccination can be given at any age, when required, however.

The first vaccination with MMR is believed to provide protection in 95% of cases. The second dose covers approximately 90% of those not protected by the first dose. Measles vaccination is no longer given alone. It is always in combination with mumps and rubella.

Measles vaccination is not mandatory in Switzerland, but is strongly recommended by the local health authorities in light of the current epidemic. Parents requiring more information and/or wanting vaccination for themselves or their children should contact their General Practitioner or Pediatrician.

Sleep - and the lack of it!

Do your children get enough sleep? Many students, whatever their age, do not. Lack of sleep is especially an issue for adolescents (as well as adults). Besides resulting in irritability and decreased school performance inadequate sleep is thought to increase the risk of both chronic health problems and accidents. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Children ages 5 to 12 should get nine to 11 hours and those 11 to 17 need 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 hours. In order to ensure adequate sleep there are basic recommendations to follow

• avoid changes in sleep schedules (e.g. significantly later bed-times on weekends or holidays)
• avoid computer, TV or strenuous exercise immediately before bed-time
• ensure adequate exercise during the day or early evening
• adjust lighting - dim lights before bed-time and increase lighting on awakening
• avoid large meals before bed-time (but do encourage a bed-time snack)
• avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, etc.)

Check this link for tips from the Mayo Clinic on how to improve your child’s sleep patterns. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teens-health/CC00019

Preventing Head Injury in Skiing and Snowboarding

Helmet use is mandatory for students in the Primary Years Ski Program. While it is optional for students in the Secondary School we strongly recommend that all students use a helmet, however, and urge parents to discuss this with their older children. With the increase in number of people participating in Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding, the number of accidents in recent year have increased as well. While not all accidents are preventable, helmet use is seen as one way to avoid life-threatening head injuries. For more information please see the following links: http://www.lidsonkids.org/home.asp and http://www.bfu.ch/French/sport/kampagnen/Pages/Sportsdeneige.aspx
In addition to discussing helmet use it is useful to have an overall discussion related to safety on the slopes. Knowing the "rules of the road" is important to safe skiing/snowboarding. This information is as well included in the links above.

Causes of Illness among students

During the winter months seasonal illnesses are at their peak. At Campus des Nations we have been seeing an increasing number of students and staff with colds, sore throats and gastrointestinal symptoms. (Follow this link for an article for more information on common illnesses among children http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childrens-conditions/CC00059 ). Important to remember is that children that are ill should not be sent to school - both for their own and others well-being. Students requiring medication at school (e.g. antibiotic treatment for strep throat) should bring the prescription and supply of medication to the Infirmary.