- Seasonal allergies – As trees, grass and flowers bloom, pollens will be released into the air causing allergy symptoms like stuffy/clear runny noses, sneezing, red/itchy eyes and mild headaches. Students with known seasonal allergies should take an antihistamine (ex. Zyrtec or Loratadine) before coming to school. Allergy-relief eye drops (ex. Visine) are also helpful for itchy red eyes.
- If you enjoy an active outdoor life, it is highly recommended that you and your family get vaccinated against the tick-carrying virus, Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE). TBE is a viral infection that can cause life-threatening encephalitis by some species of ticks found here in Eastern Europe. Spring is the best time to begin vaccinating against TBE. For more information regarding TBE, go to cdc.org or ercem-ne.lv.
- Other springtime infections we may see here at school may include: strep throat (Group A streptococcus), the common cold, chicken pox, coronavirus, and rotavirus. Remember the single best way to prevent these infections is to:
- Wash hands frequently. Encouraging washing of hands is the single most important way to protect yourself from getting and from spreading germs that cause illnesses.
- Keep sick students home. Students with an elevated body temperature (>37.5 oC), sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue, vomiting and/or diarrhea should stay home. Students can return back to school once symptom-free for a full 24 hours. For students who are absent for 4 or more days, we kindly ask for a doctor’s note stating they are healthy and ready to return back to school.
- Also, please be mindful of the changes in weather and have students ready with proper outdoor rain wear and/or lighter, spring coats. Read more about these illnesses from one of the links below.
If you have any questions, please reach out to nurse@isl.edu.lv.
