H E A L T H Y R E MI N D E R S F RO M YO U R S C H O O L N U R S E

98 POINT 6
O C T O B E R - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4
I have found myself glued to news reports of ebola
and enterovirus over the past few weeks. I want to
know everything ... symptoms, transmission,
treatment, prognosis, where they come from, their
history, survivor stories, how to prepare and protect
myself, my schools, and
my family ...
EVERYTHING! Ive
talked with many of you
about these issues.
Everyone has an opinion,
and lots of questions. And
I think everyone feels
some degree of
uncertainty, even fear,
about what could lie
ahead for our country in
battling these viruses. But,
allowing these doom and
gloom types of issues to
dominate our daily lives
only perpetuates fear and
keeps us distracted from
the people and events who
need our attention every day.
Ebola. Its undoubtedly a horrible disease, and it is
devastating western Africa. By now, we are all
aware of the basics, and thats a good thing. We
need to be informed and we need to have a plan in
place should we need it (although I truly believe
that our chances of coming into contact with the
disease here in North Georgia are extremely slim.) Its
becoming evident that the U.S. was caught off
guard by ebola on its own soil, and thats
concerning. It has taken weeks for the CDC and
government leaders to come together with clear
protocols for how well handle this virus. But I
believe were getting back on track now.
Enterovirus D68. Its name is even scientic and
confusing. And with news stories of beautiful
children in hospital beds with breathing tubes, IV
lines, and misery on their faces, who wouldnt be
concerned? But this virus is with
us every year, and usually only
causes mild illness. It just seems
to be more prevalent this year,
and the media is talking about it,
A LOT. Thankfully, the virus
seems to be waning as of just this
week.
So, if we are informed, and we
have a plan, I believe its time for
us to turn off the news and get
back to our families, our students,
our lives. Lets remember that
inuenza sickens millions of
Americans and kills thousands
each year. Get a u shot, and
then feel good that you have
done something to protect yourself and your
family. Did you know that rabies is more deadly
than ebola? Make sure your pets are vaccinated.
Vaccination protects them and provides a buffer
between us and the disease. There are things we
can do. We dont have to live in fear. Join me in
tuning out excess media and getting back to the
important things in life.
The North Georgia Health District has made available
several fact sheets, some of which I am including here.
More information can be found at nghd.org. If you have
questions or concerns about how your school is prepared to
handle any type of infectious disease, please come see me.
Id love to talk.
Ebola, Enterovirus ... My Perspective
STOP GERMS and
STAY HEALTHY
From the common cold to u,
enterovirus, and ebola, basic
hygiene measures go a long way
toward keeping us healthy.
Remind yourself and your
students of these important
points:
Wash hands often, using
soap and water, for at
least 20 seconds.
Keep ngers away from
your eyes, nose, and
mouth.
Cover coughs and
sneezes with your elbow
or a tissue, then wash
hands.
Clean and disinfect
frequently touched
surfaces.
Stay home when you are
sick.
You should also avoid contact
with body uids - blood, vomit,
urine, feces, etc. That can be hard
sometimes dealing with kids at
school, but it only takes a few
seconds to put on a pair of
disposable gloves! Also, notify
janitorial sta! to assist with
proper cleanup and disinfection of
any type of body uid
accident.
Bliss Jones RN, BSN
School Nurse
Dug Gap Elementary
Eastside Elementary
Westside Elementary
bliss_jones@whitfield.k12.ga.us
www.98point6.weebly.com
Facts about
Ebola
in the U.S.
You cant get Ebola
through water
You cant get Ebola
through air
You cant get Ebola
through food
CS250586A

body fuids, or their meat.

Ebola poses no signifcant risk to the
United States.
You can only get Ebola from:
Touching the blood or body fuids of a person who is sick with or
has died from Ebola.
Touching contaminated objects, like needles.

Touching infected animals, their blood or other

NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT 1-2
Cherokee: Canton (770) 345-7371 / Woodstock (770) 928-0133 Gilmer (706) 635-4363 Pickens (706) 253-2821
Fannin (706) 632-3023 Murray (706) 695-4585 Whitfield (706) 279-9600


C. Wade Sellers, M.D., M.P.H.
100 West Walnut Avenue, Suite 92 Interim District Health Director
Dalton, Georgia 30720 Phone: (706) 272-2342
Website: www.nghd.org Fax: (706) 272-2221




Enteroviruses and Enterovirus D68

Background

Enteroviruses

Enteroviruses are very common viruses.
Most people infected with enteroviruses have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some
infections can be serious.
Infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses and become sick.
Most enterovirus infections in the United States occur seasonally during the summer and fall.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68):

Symptoms

EV-D68 usually can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. However, the full spectrum of EV-
D68 illness is not well-defined.

Transmission

EV-D68, like other enteroviruses, appears to spread through close contact with infected people.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for EV-D68 infections.
! Many infections will be mild and self-limited, requiring only treatment of the symptoms.
! Some people with severe respiratory illness caused by EV-D68 may need to be
hospitalized and receive intensive supportive therapy.

No anti-viral medications are currently available for treating of EV-D68 infections.

Prevention

There are no vaccines for preventing EV-D68 infections.

Ways to help reduce the risk of getting infected with EV-D68:
! Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers
! Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
! Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
! Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick

Guidance to Parents

Children with cold like symptoms that experience difficulty breathing, are asked to consult
with their family physician for further evaluation.
There will not be a daily count of cases as U.S. healthcare professionals are not required to
report known or suspected cases of EV-D68 infection to health departments because it is
not a reportable disease in the United States. Also, CDC does not have a surveillance
system that specifically collects information on EV-D68 infections.