Oatlands Primary School Newsletter

First Aid 

CHICKEN POX

There is a confirmed case of  Chicken Pox  in Grade 4BK and 4OW

 

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The main symptom is a blistering skin rash. Chickenpox can be dangerous for pregnant women, newborn babies and people with depressed immunity.   Please seek medical attention for advice.

 

Chickenpox is spread by air-borne droplets from the upper respiratory tract (coughing, sneezing) or from the fluid in the skin blisters (lesions). An infected person is contagious for 1–2 days (possibly five days) before the onset of the rash and remains infectious until the blisters form scabs (usually around day five of the illness) and therefore is excluded from attending school for this period.

 

Children with chickenpox should not attend  school  until the last blister has dried. 

 

The symptoms of chickenpox include:

  • Low-grade fever

  • General discomfort, illness or lack of wellbeing (malaise)

  • A skin rash appears as little blisters surrounded by irregular-shaped patches of inflamed skin and usually starts on the body, then progresses to include the head and limbs

  • The rash is intensely itchy

  • The little blisters burst and develop crusts, usually about day five.

INFLUENZA (FLU)

There is a confirmed cases of Influenza in our school.

Influenza is a highly contagious virus that causes widespread illness every year.  Symptoms of the Flu may hit quickly and last several weeks.

The symptoms of influenza include:

  • Sudden appearance of a high fever (38 C or more)

  • A dry cough

  • Body aches

  • Feeling extremely weak and tired

Other symptoms may include:

  • Chills

  • Loss of appetite

  • Sore throat

  • Runny of stuffy nose

  • Nausea, vomiting and or diarrhoea

To reduce the risk of spreading the disease encourage thorough and regularly  hand washing. The Flu virus can live on surfaces and handrails for up to 48 hours. Wash hands after coughing, blowing your nose or sneezing and cough or sneeze into your elbow. 

 

If a student is unwell please do not give Panadol/Nurofen and send the child to school.  If a student is needing pain relief for malaise or high temperatures they should not be attending school and should be resting at home.

 

Where to get help

  • Your doctor

  • NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)

  • The Royal Children’s Hospital – Kids Health info factsheets

  • Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel. 13 22 29 

  • Better Health Channel