Health Information (revised 8/18/21)

There has been a change in School-Required Vaccines for the upcoming school year. Effective July 1, 2021 HB 1090 amendment will take effect which amends the current immunization requirements for students enrollment. The biggest change for high school and middle school is the requirement for our current 6th and 11th grade students will need to be immunized for meningococcal B before entering 7th and 12th grade. Please review the subpage on the left side of this page at the bottom to review ALL required vaccines for students. 

Does you need a doctor for your child that is reasonably priced? Johnson's Health Center is accepting new patients at all locations. All insurances are accepted. Please see the link below to view a flyer with all the information needed. 
JHC accepting new patients.jpeg

The Code of Virginia requires that the school division provide information to parents regarding scoliosis. After reading this information, if you have any questions please feel free to contact your school nurse or local physician.

What is scoliosis?

• Our spines are normally straight, scoliosis occurs when an abnormal curve of the spine or back bone appears. The spine looks crooked and will curve to the side. The Scoliosis Research Society defines scoliosis as a curvature of the spine measuring 10 degrees or greater on x-ray.

  How do I know if my child has a curved spine?

• Screening of adolescents at school is the bast method for early detection. Bedford County Public Schools provides scoliosis screening for students in grades 5, 7 and 10.
• If scoliosis is suspected after a school screening a referral letter is sent home requesting that a physician examine your child’s back.
• Some signs of scoliosis are a shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other, uneven hips or shoulder levels, clothes that do not fit or “hang right” on the child.
• Scoliosis seems to run in families and is more common in girls than boys. So if your child has scoliosis, it is suggested that the other members of the family be checked too.

How is scoliosis treated?

• Depending on the degree of curve-identified, treatment can vary from none, to six-month rechecks, bracing or surgery. During rapid periods of adolescent growth, changes can occur quickly and identifying any concern with the spine is important.

Bedford County school nurse team have collaborated to ensure that the appropriate measure is taken with the treatment of learners with suspected communicable illnesses. Please assist us with this matter by making sure your child stays home if an illness is suspected.
Medications
If it is possible for your child to take medications at home it is highly recommended that this is where he/she takes it. This is for the health/safety of other students and staff and will limit visits to the clinic, use of the hallways and student contact. 
   
Asthma and Inhalers
Per the recommendation from the CDC, Bedford County will not be performing nebulizations in the clinic. If it is decided that your child requires the use of a nebulizer a phone call will be made for you to pick up your child. 
All self carry learners will need to come to the clinic to use their inhaler. It is also preferred if a spacer is used with the inhaler. 

Pick up of sick child
If it is determined that your child is sick and needs to go home please make prompt arrangements to pick up your child when notified that he/she is ill. This should be no less than 1 hour. 

Please make sure that your emergency contact numbers are kept current. 

Should your child stay home? Here is an easy reference from the CDC-
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/COVID19-k-12-school-posters-stay-home-when-sick.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms-24x36-en.pdf

Health care plans
If you were sent a health care plan at the end of the year please turn these in to the school as soon as possible. Please be sure to have all necessary medications, etc that are needed by your child and make arrangements with me to bring into the clinic. 

This year we must practice social distancing, using masks and good hand hygiene. Here is a video from the CDC on how to properly wash your hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=eZw4Ga3jg3E&feature=emb_title

It is always a good idea to regularly check the VDH and CDC website for current health information. 

Virginia Department of Health: 

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Centers for disease control: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

I have created a subpage to the left of the screen with helpful COVID information that I will update periodically when new information if available. 

Phone: (540) 586-2541 ext 15536
Fax: (540) 586-7720