Westampton Middle & Intermediate Schools

Welcome to the Nurse's Office at Westampton Middle School!

My name is Patti Herriman and I have been the school nurse at WMS since 2004.  I have been a registered nurse for over 40 years and have spent the majority of that time working in the Emergency Departments of various hospitals in the Philadelphia area.  In addition to the ER, I have worked in home health care, neonatal intensive care and as a camp nurse for handicapped children. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

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For the most up to date information regarding coronavirus disease, please visit the Burlington County Health Department website at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1845/2019-Novel-Coronavirus-Information or the Center for Disease Control website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 

NJDOH Coronavirus Call Center 1-800-222-1222 available 24/7 in multiple languages

 

The Burlington County Health Department has more COVID-19 test kits available, so if you are a Burlington County resident who is experiencing symptoms, the call center is open to take appointments.  Call 609-726-7097 - 9am - 5pm 

 

Please feel free to email me at pherriman@westamptonschools.org if you have any questions or concerns that I may be able to help you with during the school closure.

 Stay safe/ Stay well!

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Please click on Medical Forms/Documents for any necessary forms,  such as physicals, health history questionnaires or medication forms.

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Physicals by School Doctor

 

The school doctor will be at school twice a year to perform free sports physicals for those students who would like to participate in a school sport but have been unable to obtain a physical by their family doctor. A health history questionnaire and a permission slip must be completed by the parent/guardian before the physical can be done.  Please see "Physicals by School Doctor" for more information and a permission slip and "Forms/Documents" for a Health History Questionnaire.

The next appointments for school physicals will be:  Fall, 2020 - date to be determined

Permission slip and HHQ due by:  Fall, 2020 - date to be determined 

 

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It is also important that students receive a medical examination at least once during each developmental stage, at early childhood (pre-school through grade three), pre-adolescence (grade four through six) and adolescence (grades seven through 12).

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Pertussis Increase in Burlington County

The Burlington County Health Department is seeing an increase in pertussis cases in Burlington County.  Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.  It can affect infants, children and adults. Symptoms of pertussis include uncontrollable violent coughs, vomiting and exhaustion.  Important to note is that the present increase in pertussis cases are in children who were previously vaccinated against pertussis.

Pertussis is transmitted from person to person through large respiratory droplets generated by coughing or sneezing.  Pertussis is highly infectious, with attack rates among exposed, nonimmune household contacts as high as 80-90%.  The most infectious periods are the catarrhal and early paroxymal phases.  If patients are not treated, they may be infectious for 21 days from the onset of cough or until 5 days of appropriate antibiotics have been completed. 

Symptomatic persons should be excluded from work or school until completion of the first 5 days of a full course of the appropriated antimicrobial treatment.  If the person is symptomatic and does not take the appropriate antimicrobial treatment, he or she should be excluded from work or school through 21 days from the onset of cough.  

CDC recommends administration of chemoprophylaxis to all close contacts and all household members of a pertussis case-patient, regardless of age and vaccination status. By doing this, we can help present or minimize trasmission. 

Please contact the Burlington County Health Department with any questions or concerns - 609-265-5531.

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Dental Clinic - $5.00/visit

 

 

Burlington County College Dental Hygiene Program offers clinic sessions several days a week during the school year for adults and children over the age of four.  They can perform cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments and sealants and charge $5.00 per visit.  Please call 609-894-9311 extension 1074 for an appointment or more information.

 

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Enterovirus - D68

What are enteroviruses (EV)?  Enteroviruses are common viruses that cause millions of infections in the United States each year.  Most people infected with EV have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious.  Enterovirus -D68 is one type of the more than 100 enteroviruses. 

What ae the symptoms of EV-D68?  EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness and may include these symptoms:

- Fever

- Runny nose

- Sneezing

- Cough

- Body and muscle aches

- Severe symptoms may include wheezing, difficulty breathing, and worsening of asthma

Who is at risk for EV-D68?  Infants, children and teenagers are most likely to get infected with EV and become sick.  Children with asthma seem to have a higher risk for severe respiratory illness. 

What should parents of children with asthma know about EV-D68?  It is important that asthma is well treated and controlled.  Children with asthma should follow their asthma treatment plan.  

How is EV-D68 spread?  EV-D68 is spread through close contact with an infected person.  Enteroviruses can be found in respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus and sputum and stool.  The virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  You also may become infected by touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. 

How long can enteroviruses live on surfaces?  EV can survive on surfaces long enough to allow the virus to spread to others.  Frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces such as tables, chairs, countertops, doorknobs, toys and computer keyboards can help limit the spread of EV to others. 

What can I do to protect myself against EV-D68?  There is no vaccine to prevent EV-D68 infections.  However, you can protect yourself from EV-D68 and other EV infections if you:

- Wash hands frequently

- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

- Use good respiratory hygiene

- Avoid touching or sharing cups/eating utensils with people who are sick

- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

- Stay home when feeling sick and consult your doctor

- Stay up to date with immunizations, especially for seasonal flu

For more information:   call you doctor or the Burlington County Department of Health at 609-265-5548.

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Lice Lessons

What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the human scalp.  They feed on blood.  The eggs, also called nits, are tiny, tear-drop shaped eggs that attach to the hair shaft.  Nits often appear yellowish or white, and can look like dandruff but cannot be removed or brushed off.  They nymph, or babay louse, is smaller and grow to adult size in one to two weeks.  The adult louse is the size of a sesame seed and appears grayish-white.  An itchy and inflamed scalp is a common symptom of lice.  Although not common, persistent scratching may lead to skin irritation and even infection.

Who is affected by head lice?

Head lice are not related to cleanliness.  In fact, head lice often infest people with good hygiene and grooming habits. Infestations can occur at school or in the community.  Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact - for example, during play at home or school, slumber parties, sports activities or camp.  Less often, lice are spread via objects that have been in recent contact with a person with head lice, such as hats, combs or bedding.

What to do if an infestation occurs?

If you think your child has head lice, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider to discuss the best treatment approach for your family.

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Health Advisory

The CDC recommends three basic precautions you can take against influenza.

(1)  TAKE TIME TO GET A FLU VACCINE

The CDC recommends taking time to get the influenza vaccine as your first precaution against influenza.  Unfortunately, explains the CDC, the influenza virus mutates constantly, so you must get vaccinated every year.  The vaccine is available as an intramuscular injection (shot) or an intranasal spray.  In either form, the vaccine can reduce your risk of getting influenza by up to 90%.

(2) TAKE EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS

Your second-best defense against influenza is to take everyday preventive actions.  These consist of frequent handwashing, using tissues when available or sneeze into your elbow and staying home from school when you are symptomatic.  Students with a fever must remain home until fever-free for 24 hours.   

(3) TAKE FLU ANTIVIRAL DRUGS (if your doctor recommends them)

Antiviral drugs are a precaution appropriate for some people.  Speak with your doctor to determine if these drugs are appropriate for you.

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             HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN

New Jersey has made a commitment to provide universal health insurance to children and provide affordable options for parents/guardians.  NJ Family Care provides free or low cost insurance for chldren and thier parents/guardians.  For more information about NJ Family Care or to apply, please call 1-800-701-0710 or visit www.njfamilycare.org.

Parents or guardians who earn too much to qualify for NJ Family Care can purchase health insurance for their children at reasonable rates through another program called the NJ Family Care Advantage program, which is administered by Horizon NJ Health.  For more information about this program, please call NJ Family Care Advantage at 1-800-637-2997.

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