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Classroom coughing a cause for concern Health checklist for schools
May 12, 2005 Darryl Alexander makes a point at a NYSUT conference while Michael Lohman stands by; both are from the American Federation of Teachers. There are outbreaks of whooping cough and other communicable diseases all over the country. Those who work in schools and hospitals particularly should be aware, said Darryl Alexander, director of the American Federation of Teachers occupational health and safety department. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is caused by bacteria, and infected persons are highly contagious before the cough starts, Alexander said in a recent workshop at a New York State United Teachers health and safety conference she hosted with AFT's Michael Lohman. AFT is NYSUT's national affiliate. "This is something we really want our members to get counseling on," she said. "It's really becoming quite common again ... We may be seeing more and more of this in schools." "Our pregnant members are very concerned," said moderator Katherine Kelleher, a NYSUT labor relations specialist. Alexander said that immunizations do not last a lifetime, some parents refuse to vaccinate their children and more cases are coming with new immigrants. Pertussis victims get a severe cough that can last for months. "We need school staff who are pretty sophisticated with communicable diseases," Alexander said. Particularly at risk are paraprofessionals, special ed teachers, people with diabetes, pregnant women and people undergoing chemotherapy. Concentration "Schools are very crowded institutions and all this stuff is concentrated," said Lohman. Fifth's disease, where victims get a "slapped cheek" appearance, is a mild viral infection. It can cause miscarriages in women who have never been exposed to it, Alexander noted. Chicken pox is a more serious illness for adults because of higher risks of complications. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that school staff who have never had chicken pox get immunized, Alexander said. Bacterias like salmonella are found in turtles, frogs, snakes and gerbils, animals common to classrooms. Students who have cats or dogs at home can transmit ringworm. Microbes can be spread in school through handprints, toys, hats, hairbrushes, stuffed animals, towels and handshakes. Alexander added that more than 95 percent of microbes are harmless, and there are more bacteria in your intestines than the total number of people who ever lived. Alexander's prescription: Most school staff need a minimum of a booster tetanus and diphtheria every 10 years; influenza or flu vaccination every year; chicken pox vaccination; and hepatitis B vaccination. "We believe these should be in the policy for school employees," she said. AFT recommends: • New employees should get a physical and training on communicable diseases at orientation; • Staff should be given immunizations free of charge; • Communicable disease notifications should be promptly sent out by schools so people at risk can get medical removals. "We're entering a period in our country where there are serious communicable diseases," she said. Strep throat and scarlet fever, both effectively treated with antibiotics, need to be looked for, particularly during winter when ventilation is recirculating the air. Among universal school precautions: • Be sure school ventilation systems work properly. "A lot of bacteria and viruses disseminate in the ventilation system," Alexander cautioned. Adequate outside air is needed in a system to dilute contaminants. • Wash hands, being sure to use friction and create lather; • Use barrier protections such as tissues and gloves when there is contact with skin or bodily fluids; • School nurses should wear lab coats; • Be sure to get enough sleep to keep up your body's resistance; • Use disinfectants to clean all spills; • Alcohol gel hand sanitizer is effective for killing most germs; • Masks are not recommended, as they don't seal and become damp; • Germs are expelled at 100 miles per hour in a sneeze — so cover your mouth and keep your distance from sneezers! — Liza Frenette |
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