Health Services

DSHS Immunization Branch Advisory No. 27 - CDC Recommends Two HPV Shots for Younger Adolescents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its recommendation regarding the three injection series of HPV vaccination in adolescents, beginning at age 11-12 years. CDC now routinely recommends two doses of HPV vaccine for 11 or 12 year olds to prevent HPV cancers.

Why does my child need HPV vaccine? 

HPV vaccine is important because it protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a very common virus; nearly 80 million people—about one in four—are currently infected in the United States. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.

Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems. Most HPV infections (9 out of 10) go away by themselves within two years. But, sometimes, HPV infections will last longer, and can cause certain cancers and other diseases. HPV infection can cause:

• cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women;

• cancers of the penis in men; and

• cancers of the anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both women and men.

Every year in the United States, HPV causes 30,700 cancers in men and women. HPV vaccination can prevent most of the cancers (about 28,000) from occurring.

Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious acute viral respiratory illness. It is characterized by a prodrome of fever (as high as 105°F) and malaise, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis – the three “C”s, Koplik spots followed by a maculopapular rash. The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed, however, the incubation ranges from 7 – 21 days. The rash characteristically spreads from the head to the trunk to the lower extremities. Patients are considered to be contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears. Please note that immunocompromised patients may not develop the rash. Complications can include otitis media, diarrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures and death.

While it is rare that vaccinated individuals develop measles, it does happen. Vaccinated individuals may have an atypical clinical presentation—typically shorter rash duration or atypical rash presentation, and possible lack of fever, cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include: infants and children <5 years, adults aged >20 years, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control

Fact Sheet English

Fact Sheet Spanish

WHAT IS MENINGITIS?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord.  It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms. Two common types are Streptococcus pneumoniae, with over 80 serogroups that can cause illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, with 5 serogroups that most commonly cause meningitis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Someone with bacterial meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.

Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body.

The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.

HOW SERIOUS IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?

If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, most people make a complete recovery. If left untreated or treatment is delayed, bacterial meningitis can be fatal, or a person may be left with permanent disability.

HOW CAN BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?

Bacterial meningitis cased by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis may be prevented through vaccination.   Vaccination with available meningococcal vaccines offers longer-term protection and is routinely recommended for adolescents and others at increased risk. 

The vaccine which protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae is called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV. There are two types of vaccinations for meningococcal disease available in the US. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra® and Menveo®) available in the US provide protection against 4 of the 5 most common serogroups of N. meningitidis (serogroups A, C, W, and Y). Serogroup B vaccines (Trumenba® and Bexsero®) provides protection for the other most common serogroup, serogroup B. Meningococcal vaccinations are generally recommended for those beginning at 11-12 years of age with a booster between 16-18 years of age; however, for those persons at an increased risk for meningococcal disease the age recommended is different.

Depending on the brand and your age you may receive different number of doses. Approximately 2 weeks are required following vaccination for the development of protective antibody levels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all infectious diseases. You may call your family doctor or local health department office to ask about meningococcal vaccine.  Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html and the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS): https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/PreteenVaccines.aspx or https://dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/disease/meningitis/Meningitis.aspx      

SOURCE: Link to Texas Department of Health and Human Services - Meningitis Information for Students and Parents

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As summer arrives, so do mosquitoes!  Mosquito activity increases with warmer weather, and so does the threat of illness. Pregnant women are particularly at risk of Zika; the virus can cause birth defects in unborn infants. The Zika virus spreads through the bite of certain types of mosquitoes. While it can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red or pink eyes, about 80 percent of people with Zika do not become ill or have symptoms. Zika can also spread through blood transfusions and sexual contact. . Prevent mosquito breeding and protect yourself from mosquito bites. You can learn more about Zika in Texas here. 

Listed below are some steps to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses.

• Apply EPA-approved insect repellent.
• Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts
• Remove standing water in and around your home 
• Cover trash cans or containers where water can collect
• Talk to your doctor if you have concerns  

For additional information on Zika in Comal County visit Zika in Central Texas.  

Zika Virus Protection and Prevention from TEA

The Zika informational poster from the Texas Department of Health and Human services can be found at: https://www.texaszika.org/materials/ZikaPoster11x17English.pdf

Posted: May 15, 2018  | Updated: Sept. 10, 2019

Severe Lung Disease and Vaping Health Alert (Issued: 08-06-19)

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2019/HealthAlert-08162019.aspx

NBISD is committed to educating our students about living a healthy lifestyle as well as being responsible and safe. We want to take this opportunity to make you aware of a trend among students that is causing concern not only in NBISD, but across the country. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) have grown in use and popularity over the past few years particularly among youth and young adults.

ENDS, also called e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers, vape pens, e-cigars, e-hookah, or vaping devices, are products that produce an aerosolized mixture containing flavored liquids and nicotine that is inhaled by the user. ENDS can resemble traditional products like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or common gadgets like flashlights, flash drives, or pens.

These devices are being marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes and students are also attracted to the sleek and inconspicuous designs offered. Devices such as Juul are the same size and shape as a flash drive and can be easily concealed. Kids are using words like “Juuling,” “vaping” or “dripping” to talk about these devices and their experiences. Additionally, the “e-liquid” or “e-juice” is sold in flavors like fruit, candy, coffee or chocolate and can be ordered online by someone under the legal age of 18.

Students are not allowed to possess these devices, however, we are still encountering them at school. We are asking for your assistance to address this issue and encourage you to speak with your child about the effects products like these can have on their health as well as the consequences they could face at school. Just like you, we are concerned about the health and welfare of our children.

Any student found in the possession of or use of a vaping device, vapors or tobacco on any NBISD campus will face disciplinary consequences.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact a campus administrator or one of your child’s teachers. For additional resources, click on the links below provided online by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control.

Sources and Image References:

American Academy of Pediatrics. “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Quick Facts.” Available at:

https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Richmond-Center/Pages/Electronic-Nicotine-Delivery-Systems.aspx

Center for Disease Control. “E-Cigarettes and Young People: A Public Health Concern.” Available at:  https://www.cdc.gov/features/ecigarettes-young-people/index.html

E-cigarettes Infographic

https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Richmond-Center/PublishingImages/ECigInfographic.jpg

Texas Dept. of Health and Human Services

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/tobacco/E-Cigarettes/