Health and Wellness
Support for Social Challenges for Young Adults
Members of the Academy’s Health and Wellness Department recently
attended a seminar featuring Rosalind Wiseman, an internationally
recognized author and educator on children, teens, parenting, education,
and social justice. Her work aims to help parents, educators and
young people successfully navigate the social challenges of young
adulthood. Her website features information from many sources and
blogs for a continuous dialogue. It is a great resource for parents
and students. For information, please visit her website
www.rosalindwiseman.com.
Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse
The Academy Health and Wellness Department would like to
inform you of a growing concern among teens. As parents, you already
know about the dangers of illegal street drugs but some teens are
abusing legal over- the-counter products, like cough medicine, to get
high. Click here to obtain a parent's guide entitled "Preventing Teen
Cough Medicine Abuse." If you have questions, please contact Ms.
Garey, Director of Health and Wellness at sgarey@stjacademy.org.
H1N1 Flu Virus Information
We continue to monitor our students and their travel activities. We also have increased our efforts to promote normal infection precautions for colds and flu. They include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, washing your hands often, not touching your eyes or mouth with your hands before washing, and staying home if you are feeling ill.
Hand sanitizer units have been distributed throughout campus.
In addition, we have instituted the following policy for anyone coming to campus:
- Those who have been diagnosed with the flu, or have flu-like symptoms (fever and one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat), should not come to campus until 24 hours after their temperature has returned to normal without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Please visit the Center for Disease Control for current information.
We will provide additional information to students and parents as it becomes available.
For information relating to the H1N1 flu in Vermont, please utilize the following link:
The Health Department for the State of Vermont
Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
|
Symptom
|
Cold
|
H1N1 Flu
|
|
Fever
|
Fever is rare with a cold.
|
Fever is usually
present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of
100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
|
|
Coughing
|
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
|
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
|
|
Aches
|
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
|
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
|
|
Stuffy Nose
|
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
|
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
|
|
Chills
|
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
|
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
|
|
Tiredness
|
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
|
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
|
|
Sneezing
|
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
|
Sneezing is not common with the flu.
|
|
Sudden Symptoms
|
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
|
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
|
|
Headache
|
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
|
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
|
|
Sore Throat
|
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
|
Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
|
|
Chest Discomfort
|
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
|
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
|
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Sarah Garey
Director, Health and Wellness
St. Johnsbury Academy
802-748-7718
sgarey@stjacademy.org
Important Health Notice for the 2009--2010 School Year:
The state of Vermont now requires Varicella vaccine, 2 doses if your child has not had the chicken pox, and 2 doses of the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine.
Meningococcal vaccine is now required for all students living in dormitories or campus-based housing.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
On behalf of the St. Johnsbury Academy Health Center, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to the Academy community.
Our Health Center policy requires that all incoming freshmen and new students have a physical completed by a physician prior to the start of school in August. The physical needs to be valid for the entire school year, so please have it completed no sooner than May before the upcoming school year. This requirement continues on a yearly basis for any student interested in playing sports at St. Johnsbury Academy.
Please contact the Health Center if you have any questions or need assistance in making an appointment. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We aim to keep your student healthy and in conjunction with the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, we recommend that your student have a yearly physical.
Sincerely,
Sarah Garey RN, CSAP
Director of Health and Wellness
802-748-7718
sgarey@stjacademy.org
fax 802-748-7798
Important Academy Health Forms
Health Evaluation Form
Immunization Form
Permission for Medical Treatment Form
Consent to Release Medical Records Form
Helpful Links
Vermont's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
Vermont Department of Health
Help Reduce Underage Drinking in Vermont
The Community of Concern
Five Moms--stopping cough medicine abuse
Stop Medicine Abuse
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