1. Identify one reported disease or injury in school.

School can be considered a shelter for bacteria and viruses, especially for school-age
children. One very common reported disease would be flu or common cold, which are
infectious diseases. Both flu and common cold are caused by viruses that infect the nose,
throat and sinuses. The only difference is that these are caused by different viruses.
Young children tend to have a greater risk in acquiring these compared to adults, since
their body may still be developing its immunity to the more than 100 different cold
viruses. Children can easily acquire these from their friends, playmates and classmates in
school through airborne droplets from. They can also acquire these through direct contact
with their toys and other school materials being shared among the children. The most
effective way of reducing the probability of these infectious diseases to affect children
would be through an appropriate health education.

2. Develop a plan on how the school and the community can work together to
decrease the problem.

Specific recommended actions for the school to consider:

1. Yearly discussions, seminars, programs, or activities to teach and remind students of
the importance of proper hygiene and good nutrition, and its impact on health.
2. Schedules set for the children to have general check-ups or health assessment at least
once yearly to ensure they are free from disease.
3. Always keep a supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes in every
classroom as much as possible, as well as adequate supply of water and soap in
comfort rooms. Proper hygiene helps prevent spread of viruses which can cause
common cold and flu.
4. Clean and disinfect classroom materials and surfaces often, to get rid of harmful
germs.
5. Consider a strict implementation of making sick students and staff stay home (and to
seek medical attention when necessary), to prevent from the spread of any infectious
disease that they may acquire.
6. Ensure proper care of child available, including assessment of the type of illness and
administration of treatments, as needed.
7. Maintenance of student health records with confidentiality according to policy.
8. Encourage creating a productive interaction between the community and the school.
9. Workshops for the faculty and staff to assist them in grasping their roles in the
prevention of diseases through basic assessment, planning, intervention and
evaluation.
10. Enhance the quality and effectiveness of the school nurses.
11. Develop education curriculum for appropriate grade levels in relation to proper
health beliefs and practices health maintenance and disease prevention.


To be able to successfully preserve and promote the health of the students, it is most
effective to build a strong foundation within the school’s community, which includes
teachers, staff, faculty members, parents, and the children or students themselves. To
make this possible, health education is the very first step to take towards proper health
beliefs and practices. Lack of knowledge can be one of the causes for us to acquire
diseases, especially infectious diseases. As a health care provider, it is our responsibility
to nurture and teach whoever is under our care, as well as those that affect them.

Below is a teaching plan directed towards the school and the community, which may
work to decrease the problem of common infectious diseases.
SPECIFIC CONTENT MATTER INTERVENTIONS
OBJECTIVE
TEACHERS, STAFF, FACULTY MEMBERS, PARENTS
Define flu or Flu and the common cold are both respiratory  Encouraging
common cold illnesses but they are caused by different and
viruses. These two types of illnesses have entertaining
similar symptoms, but generally flu is worse discussion
than the common cold. Unlike colds, flu can questions to
 have very serious associated complications. clarify any
Children younger than 6 are at greatest risk of missed idea
colds, but healthy adults can also expect to  Asking
have two or three colds annually. discussion
questions to
How and why  Viruses and bacterias are collectively identify level
we feel sick known as germs, and they are disease- of
causing objects that can get to the body in understanding
ways the naked eye can not see.  Presenting with
 People can pass colds and flu through the use of a
germs. powerpoint
 Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with presentation
unclean hands help germs spread so  Providing
easily. handouts or
brochures
Signs and Most people recover from a common cold in a regarding
symptoms of week or 10 days. Symptoms might last longer common cold
common cold in people who smoke. If symptoms don't and flu, and
and flu improve, see your doctor. proper
handwashing
For adults — seek medical attention if you technique
have:  Demonstrate
 Fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C) proper
 Fever lasting five days or more or handwashing
returning after a fever-free period technique and
 Shortness of breath allow them to
 Wheezing practice among
 Severe sore throat, headache or sinus pain themselves as
well
For children — seek medical attention right
away if child has:
 Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up
to 12 weeks
 Rising fever or fever lasting more than
two days in a child of any age
 Symptoms that worsen or fail to improve
 Severe symptoms, such as headache or
cough
 Wheezing
 Ear pain
 Extreme fussiness
 Unusual drowsiness
 Lack of appetite

How does flu The virus can spread through droplets in the
or common air when someone who is sick coughs,
cold spread sneezes or talks. It also spreads through direct
contact with someone who has a cold or by
sharing contaminated objects. If you touch
your eyes, nose or mouth after such contact or
exposure, you're likely to catch a cold. Poor
hygiene is one of the main causes of getting
sick and spreading illness.

Complications  Acute ear infection (otitis media) occurs

when bacteria or viruses enter the space
behind the eardrum.
 A cold can trigger an asthma attack.
 A common cold that doesn't resolve can
lead to inflammation and infection of the
sinuses (sinusitis).
 Other secondary infections, including
 strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis),
pneumonia, and croup or bronchiolitis in
children, which need to be treated by a
doctor.

How to treat  Treatment is only directed at relieving

common cold signs and symptoms.
or flu  For a fever, sore throat and headache, one
may use acetaminophen or other mild
pain relievers.
 Children and teenagers recovering from
chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should
never take aspirin, as this can lead to
Reye’s syndrome.
 Adults can use decongestant drops or
sprays for up to five days. Children
younger than 6 shouldn't use these.
 Giving OTC cough and cold medicines to
children younger than age 4 may be
harmful.
 It isn't typically recommended to give
cough or cold medicines to an older
child, but if you do, follow the label
directions.
 Drink plenty of fluids to feel better, such
as water, juice, clear broth or warm
lemon water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol,
which can dehydrate.
 Chicken soup and other warm fluids can
be soothing and can loosen congestion.
 If possible, stay home from work or
school to rest as well as reduce the
chances of infecting others.
 Keep room warm, but not overheated. If
the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or
vaporizer can moisten the air and help
ease congestion and coughing.
 A saltwater gargle can temporarily relieve
a sore or scratchy throat.
 Saline nasal drops can help relieve nasal
congestion in adults and children. In
infants, gently suction the nostrils with a
bulb syringe after applying saline drops.

How to  Disinfect things as much as possible.

prevent  Use tissues when sneezing and coughing
common cold and discard used tissues right away, then
or flu wash your hands carefully.
 Teach children to sneeze or cough into
the bend of their elbow when they don't
have a tissue.
 Don't share drinking glasses or utensils
with other family members.
 Avoid close contact with anyone who has
a cold.
 Ensure a child care setting with good
hygiene practices and clear policies about
keeping sick children at home.
 Eating well, getting exercise and enough
sleep, and managing stress might help
keep colds at bay.
 Wash hands thoroughly and often with
 soap and water, and teach children the
importance of handwashing. If soap and
water aren't available, use an alcohol-
based hand sanitizer.
 How to properly wash hands
Rub hands together for 20 seconds—
long enough to sing the “Happy Hand
Washing” song twice.
Follow the steps: rubbing hands palm
to palm, rubbing back of each hand,
rubbing palm to palm with fingers
interlaced, rubbing back of fingers to
opposing palms with fingers
interlocked, rubbing each thumb
using a rotational movement, rubbing
tips of finger on palm in a circular
motion, and rubbing each wrist with
opposite hand
After washing, dry hands thoroughly
with a single-use towel
 When to appropriately perform
handwashing
After you cough or sneeze
After using the toilet
After you play outside
After shaking hands with other
people
After you touch animals, including
your pet
Before you eat or touch food

CHILDREN OR STUDENTS
Define flu or Both flu and common cold are caused by  Asking
common cold viruses that infect the nose, throat and sinuses. children
These can make you feel sick as viruses discussion
invade the body. Sometimes people confuse a questions to
cold with the flu, as these can be very similar clarify or
in terms of how it is acquired. However, with identify level
flu, people are generally more unwell and flu of
symptoms may also last longer. Either way, understanding
both can make one sick.  Providing
creatively
How and why  Viruses and bacterias are collectively made handouts
we feel sick known as germs, and they are disease- or flyers to
causing objects that can get to the body in enhance
ways the naked eye can not see. cooperation
 Germs can make people sick. and interest to
 People can pass colds and flu through learn
germs.  Presenting a
 Germs are everywhere. They are so small short animated
that you cannot see them without a video
microscope. demonstrating
 Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with the ways virus
unclean hands help germs spread so can get into the
easily. body and cause
illnesses
Signs and  fever  Demonstrate
symptoms of  body pains handwashing
flue and  cough and then letting
common cold  sore throat them practice it
 low energy  Provide
 shivering additional
  runny or stuffy nose activities and
 sneezing educational
 upset tummy materials
 vomiting related to
handwashing
How does flu  The flu spreads mostly from person to or general
or common person through the coughs and sneezes of hygiene
cold spread people who are sick with the flu.
 You may also get sick by touching
something with flu viruses on it and then
touching your mouth or nose.
 Poor hygiene is one of the main causes of
getting sick and spreading illness.

Reinforcement  Handwashing is the most basic essential

of hygiene way to prevent diseases. Keeping hands
habits clean is one of the best ways to keep one
from getting sick and spreading illnesses
such as the flu and common cold.
 How to properly wash hands
Rub hands together for 20 seconds—
long enough to sing the “Happy Hand
Washing” song twice.
Follow the steps: rubbing hands palm
to palm, rubbing back of each hand,
rubbing palm to palm with fingers
interlaced, rubbing back of fingers to
opposing palms with fingers
interlocked, rubbing each thumb
using a rotational movement, rubbing
tips of finger on palm in a circular
motion, and rubbing each wrist with
opposite hand
After washing, dry hands thoroughly
with a single-use towel
 When to appropriately perform
handwashing
After you cough or sneeze
After using the toilet
After you play outside
After shaking hands with other
people
After you touch animals, including
your pet
Before you eat or touch food
 How to stop spreading germs and have
better health
Cover your mouth and nose when
you sneeze or cough using a tissue.
Then throw the tissue away. When
there is no tissue, cough or sneeze
into your sleeve.
If you cough or sneeze into your
hands, wash them for 20 or more
seconds.
Germs get on your hands and then on
other objects (doorknobs, toys, desks,
etc.).
References:

Cold Versus Flu. (2019, December 30). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm
Common cold. (2019, April 20). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/common-cold/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351611
Lissienko, K. (2011, September 13). Flu (Influenza). Retrieved from
https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/flu-influenza
Teaching Children About the Flu. [PDF]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/teachingchildrenflu.pdf