School is usually the first place where children leave their sheltered homes and enter society, and the child should be supported against the psychological and social problems that this situation will create. Childhood is also a suitable period for developing health habits. Students who develop healthy knowledge, attitudes and behaviors can also be educators for the individuals around them.
What Should Be Done in Case of an Infectious Disease at School?
Bleeding, respiratory failure, fainting, convulsion, allergic reactions, burns, poisoning, head injuries, which can be seen frequently at school. Sudden situations such as trauma, upper respiratory tract infections, skin infections, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sprains, fractures and dislocations require an acute approach. The teacher should be informed about the symptoms and transmission methods of some common infectious diseases, and should immediately notify the school health team and family when the disease occurs. When a contagious disease occurs, the sick student should not come to school until the contagious period ends. If there are children with a chronic disease at school, it is necessary to combat the effects of this disease on the child, family and education. For example, environmental control and prevention of infections in a child with asthma; monitoring blood sugar in a child with diabetes and improving patient compliance; In an epileptic child, efforts should be made to prevent attacks and protect from accidents.
Immune System
Immune system; Under normal circumstances, it tries to protect the person against diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, which are known as germs and cause all infectious diseases. Most of the time it is successful. However, sometimes the protection is temporarily weak and disease occurs. Very rarely, a disease may develop easily because our immune system is weakened by some serious congenital or acquired diseases or medications used.
The Immune System Protects Us Against Diseases
Our immune system first tries to prevent these microbes from entering the body. If it is not successful at this point, it tries to destroy the microbes at the point they enter. If it is not successful there, it will prevent its spread and remain an infection limited to that area only. tries to make ends meet. The immune system protects us against diseases by maintaining these functions throughout life. These functions are carried out by the collaboration of many organs such as white blood cells, thymus gland, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Diseases that may occur in any of these also cause a weakness in the immune system. Diseases experienced in childhood and vaccinations, especially breastfeeding, contribute to the development of the immune system. For this reason, infectious diseases are more common in childhood. Thanks to the immune system developing over time, infectious diseases decrease. As the immune system also ages with age, there is an increase in re-infections. Immune system; It weakens due to malnutrition, adverse environmental conditions, insomnia, excessive fatigue and stress.
Common School-Age Infections
Cold (flu): It is the most common school-age infection and is caused by viruses. There may be a mild fever along with a mild runny nose, sneezing and infrequent cough. It usually heals on its own in a short time.
Flu: It is a more serious condition caused by influenza viruses, which is usually accompanied by high fever, headache, muscle aches, runny nose, nasal congestion and cough, and causes extreme fatigue. Treatment under the supervision of a physician and follow-up for complications (such as ear infection, bronchitis and pneumonia) are required.
Throat infections: Although the majority of throat infections accompanied by sore throat, difficulty in swallowing and fever are virus infections that do not require antibiotic treatment, the conditions that require antibiotic treatment can be distinguished. Physician examination and laboratory examinations may be required for diagnosis. Especially patients with group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (beta microbe) must receive antibiotic treatment for a sufficient period of time. It should not be forgotten that beta infections that are not treated properly and adequately
can cause rheumatism and nephritis.
Pneumonia: Pneumonia, accompanied by high fever, intense cough and sputum, often develops following a throat infection. It is especially affected by various viruses and bacteria. It is seen in debilitated children with chronic diseases and weak immune systems. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents the progression of the disease; Therefore, it prevents it from reaching a life-threatening point.
Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis: They occur when small and medium-sized tracheas become inflamed by viruses and bacteria. They usually present with cough, phlegm, wheezing, fever and occasionally chest pain. In the beginning, there is usually a throat infection. Physician evaluation is essential for diagnosis and treatment.
Middle Ear Inflammation: Especially after colds, flu and throat infections, bacteria and viruses pass from the throat to the middle ear through the eustachian canal and cause inflammation. It manifests itself with earache, fever and hearing loss. Physician evaluation and treatment is required.
Diarrhea: It occurs with watery stools at least three times a day, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. It is a disease caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites transmitted through food and drink taken orally. After medical evaluation and laboratory examinations, drug treatment should be planned while fluid loss should be replaced.
Rash Diseases; School children are particularly prone to rash diseases because they are in crowded environments. In addition to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella and chickenpox, there are many rash diseases. Their common feature is that they are caused by viruses and are associated with fever. They must be evaluated by a physician for diagnosis and necessary treatment recommendations. Finally, pre-school evaluation should be performed routinely in school-age children.
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