August 2009

Asthma is the leading cause of school absences due to chronic illness, accounting for 14 million missed school days each year.  For children with asthma heading back to school, it's parents who need to do their homework.

Maureen Damitz, Senior Programs Director of Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago tells parents: "A few precautionary steps can make all the difference."

Before your children head back to school this fall, here are a few reminders:

• Make sure your child has a written Asthma Action Plan, and that the school nurse has a copy on file. Also, call the school to obtain any forms your healthcare provider may need to sign to allow your child to carry medication at school.
• Help your child practice administering his or her asthma medication, and make sure your child understands how important it is to keep the medicine close by at all times.
• If possible keep an extra quick relief inhaler with the school nurse.
• Talk with teachers to make sure they understand your child's ‘triggers.' Make sure they will be able to recognize an attack, and know what to do if one occurs.
• Remind your children of the importance of general hygiene to ward off upper respiratory infections that exacerbate asthma symptoms.
• Remember to get your child an annual flu vaccination. Kids with asthma are at increased risk for upper respiratory viral infections, including the flu.

Read more helpful tips on our "What You Need to Know about Preparing for School With Asthma" resource sheet, available in English and Spanish.

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CDC announces priority populations for H1N1 Influenza vaccine

Every year, RHAMC nurses deliver seasonal influenza vaccines at city clinics and workplace sites throughout metropolitan Chicago starting in October.  In addition, we are paying special attention to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations regarding H1N1 (swine) flu precautions this season.

CDC recently announced its recommendation of groups who should receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine expected to be available this fall.

Population groups currently recommended to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and immunization may provide protection to infants too young to be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccinating people in close contact with infants may help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 influenza in healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

For further recommendations and explanation, visit CDC.gov and RHAMC's website for updates on seasonal flu and H1N1 (swine) flu this fall. 

View the latest in RHAMC's "What You Need to Know about..." series, H1N1 (Swine) Flu Workplace Precautions.

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Have You Scheduled Your Workplace Flu Shots?