W.S. “Chip” Riggins, Jr., MD, MPH Executive Director and Health Authority, Williamson County & Cities Health District 

Take Action to Fight the Flu and Stay Healthy 

W.S. “Chip” Riggins, Jr., MD, MPH Executive Director and Health Authority, Williamson County & Cities Health District Take Action to Fight the Flu and Stay Healthy Here at the Williamson County and Cities Health District, we take flu very seriously. It is a virus that infects thousands of our county residents each year. Last year, we saw a peak in flu cases at the end of December while the holidays were still in progress.  While we cannot predict when flu will hit this year, we want to ensure that all of our residents are prepared early and protected from the flu. The best protection for children, ages 6 months and up, and adults is to get a flu vaccine.  October is the best time of year to get a flu vaccine and getting immunized every year gives you the best protection from the flu. This is especially important if you are pregnant or if you or your loved ones have respiratory problems like asthma or chronic lung disease. There are a couple of options to get vaccinated. For children, the nasal spray is recommended for ages 2 to 8 years old. Flu shots are also recommended for older children and adults. Take time to inquire which flu vaccine options are best for you and your family. The other measures to prevent the flu are pretty simple. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer. Getting vaccinated and using caution during the flu season can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, an missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.  Collective action to protect ourselves during the flu season will keep Williamson County one of the healthiest counties in Texas. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each fall.   

Always remind children to:

• Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze—have them throw the tissue away after they use it.

• Wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

• Remind them to not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way

How Flu Spreads

• Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.

• They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

• Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

For more information about the “Shots Across Texas” program you may access the Texas State Dept of Health website ​ ​Williamson​​ County & Cities Health District Immunization Clinics Cedar​​ Park Clinic 350 Discovery Blvd. Mon. & Wed. 8-5 walk-ins as time permits Tues, Thurs, Friday 8-5 Appt. ONLY NEW! Tues 5-7 walk ins as time permits 512-260-4240 Georgetown Clinic 100 W. 3rd St. Wed. & Thurs 8-5 as time permits Mon, Tues, Fri 8-5 Appt only NEW! Mon 5-7 walk ins as time permits 512-943-3640 Round Rock Clinic 211 Commerce Cove Tues, Thurs 8-5 walk ins as time permits Mon, Weds, Fri 8-5 Appt only NEW! Thurs 5-7 walk ins only 512-248-3257 512-943-3640

District policy:Head Lice 

Head lice are one of the nuisances that parents of students occasionally find themselves dealing with. RRISD follows the Texas Department of State Health Services recommendations. Individual head checks are performed on an as needed basis. Mass screenings will not be conducted. Parents are encouraged to periodically check their student’s head for lice. If a student is found to have live lice a parent or guardian will be contacted and the student will be sent home for treatment. For lice treatment recommendations and RRISD lice protocol, please contact your school nurse. 

General Information 

Head Lice can occur in all children and at any age. It is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty. So, let us share with you the ways to recognize head lice, to treat it and to prevent it from happening again. Head lice are tiny insects (parasites) that live in human hair, feeding on the scalp of the host. The lice hatch from small eggs or nits that are attached to the base of the hair at the scalp.  The eggs hatch in seven to ten days and the new lice reach maturity in approximately two weeks. Because head lice multiply rapidly, prompt treatment is very important. Head lice are transmitted by head to head contact. Lice do not jump or fly. They also cannot live off of a human host for more than 24 hours.   

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR: 

Persistent itching of the head and back of the neck can indicate head lice.  Also, look for scratch marks or a rash on the scalp.  Look for lice or nits in the hair, close to the scalp.  Sometimes, small white specks in the hair such as dandruff can be confused with nits.  Nits are very difficult to remove, while dandruff will brush away easily.  At school, we check for lice on individuals heads based on a parent request for their own student or based on teacher observation. Mass screenings are not conducted. You need to check your child routinely. Please call your campus nurse if you have questions.   

INSTRUCTION FOR TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF HEAD LICE and NITS: 

Before using the pediculicide, shampoo your child’s hair to remove any of the products currently in the hair, then dry the hair. This will allow the pediculicide to work properly. You can use any effective lice treatment. If you need advice, check with your pharmacist or physician on which pediculicide to use. Remove all nits from the hair. Using a metal comb will not remove all of the nits. Some must be removed manually.  Removing the nits is key to successful treatment. Wash clothes, bed linens and towels. Use hot water and dry on the hottest setting for 20 minutes. Wash any stuffed animals that your child sleeps with. Soak combs and brushes in hot water and or disinfectant. The water must be 130 degrees F and soak for at least 10 minutes. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, pillows, mattresses and cars. REPEAT TREATMENT of the hair in 7-10 days to assure that any newly hatched lice will be killed. Children may return to school after they have received their first treatment with an effective pediculicide and the nurse has checked their hair. 

Statement Regarding First Time Medications: 

A Round Rock ISD employee will not administer any medication to a student taken for the first time.  The medication must be given by the parent at home, or the parent can give at school and wait 20 minutes to see if there is a reaction. 

Statement Regarding Herbal Medications: 

No district employee will administer herbal, vitamins or dietary supplements except as provided by RRISD Policy FFAC (Local).  Herbal, vitamins or dietary supplements may be given as prescribed by a physician if it is required by the IEP or Section 504 plan of a student with a disability. Medication must be provided by the student’s parent or guardian. Reliable information must be given by the physician regarding the safe use of the product including effects, toxicity, drug interactions and adverse effects. Physician’s signature must be on the medication administration form. 

Statement Regarding Nurses Refusing to Give Medication: 

In accordance with the nurses practice act, Texas Administration Code 217.11, Registered Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses have the responsibility and the authority to refuse to administer medication that, in the nurse’s judgment, is contra-indicated for administration to the student.