Health Centre News
Anaphylaxis Awareness
This year we have 40 students at risk of Anaphylaxis. Their allergies vary from insect bites/stings to a variety of food types, the most prevalent one being nuts.
With these statistics we would like to bring some Anaphylaxis awareness to the general school community to help establish a much safer place for these students to be.
As we know, the minutest quantity of allergen can trigger a deadly reaction. Peanut butter on a friend’s hand could be transferred to a volleyball or a desk or the remnants left in Pistachio nut shells, lying on the floor could prove fatal. Therefore, protection of the students at risk of anaphylaxis requires all students to exercise control over food products, not only those directly consumed by the students at risk.
We encourage stringent hand washing after eating a nut product, no sharing of food and discard all nut shells in the many bins around the school grounds.
We, at East Doncaster Secondary College, follow the Ministerial Order 706 to best support our students at risk of Anaphylaxis. We hold regular staff training sessions, students at risk supply the school with an Epi-pen and have regular reminders to provide and carry their own Epi-pen when leaving the school grounds for camps, excursions or sporting events. There are 8 general use Epi-pens strategically placed around the school for any emergencies that may occur and a general use Epi-pen goes with staff on any off campus pursuits.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Asthma Winter checklist
Colds and flu can hit hard if you have asthma. In fact, the common cold is behind around 4 out of 5 bad asthma attacks. Make sure your lungs are in the best possible shape for winter by following these steps.
1. Get your lungs checked
See your doctor for an asthma review before the cold and flu season arrives. You can check the health of your lungs and work out if you need to make any changes to your asthma medicines so you stay well over winter.
2. Follow your asthma action plan
Together with your doctor, develop or update your personal written asthma action plan with instructions on how to manage your asthma over winter. A written asthma action plan helps you recognise worsening asthma and tells you what to do in response. Acting quickly can help prevent a mild flare-up from developing into a serious attack.
3. Use your medications wisely
Tell your doctor if you have been using your reliever puffer more than twice a week or are having asthma symptoms at night. These are important signs that your lungs may not be in the best condition for winter colds and flu. If you have been prescribed a preventer medication make sure you use it - even if you feel well.
4. Check your inhaler technique
All children need careful training from a doctor, nurse, asthma educator or pharmacist to use inhaled medicines correctly. Proper use of inhalers helps medicines work properly, can reduce the risk of side-effects and is essential for good asthma management. The instructions are different for each type of inhaler device.
5. Take preventative action
- Keep warm if cold air triggers your asthma
- Control germs by washing your hands
- Avoid contact with anyone who's sick
- Ask your doctor about having the flu vaccination
If you get sick...
Follow your written asthma action plan - if you don't have one, contact your doctor to check what you should do.
- Get lots of rest and take care of yourself
- Stay home - try to avoid infecting others
- Seek medical help straight away if your symptoms are severe or rapidly getting worse
Antibiotics are not recommended for treating viral infections like the common cold.
Rose Howarth
Health Centre