Parents Take Precautions After Cases of Mono Confirmed in White Hall School District
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 2, 2012
"What's that word?" she asked her fifth grade daughter.
"Responsible," Haley replied as she rewrites the word.
Responsibility isn't just a spelling lesson for Lisa Bartlett and daughter Hailey.
"We have to be responsible for our actions," Bartlett uses the word in a sentence.
It's a discussion about how sickness spreads.
"To protect you and other people too, use hand sanitizer," Bartlett said. "If you cough, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Don't drink out of the water fountain, because the little kids could put their mouth on it. If they're sick, you don't even have to put your mouth there, the water will carry it up."
White Hall School District sent out a letter to alert parents that one dozen cases of mono have been reported among students across the district in elementary, middle, and high school.
"You better take it seriously," Bartlett said. " I'm not taking any chances."
Hailey's older brother was hospitalized eight years ago after catching mono.
"He couldn't breathe when he would lay down," Bartlett said. "That's when I learned that mono affects lymph nodes and glands. His tonsils were so swollen it was closing off his airways. The only indicator aside from that was a temperature I couldn't get to come down."
The firsthand crash course in the viciousness of the virus was no walk in the park.
"We spent four long days in the hospital with him and it was awful," Bartlette said. "Granted, my son has underlying issues. He has asthma. But it can lead to serious infections for any kid."
Mono is often called the kissing disease, but it's most commonly spread by coughing in addition to salive. So, the district's letter to parents is asking them to review safety tips with their kids like coughing into the sleeve at the elbow, washing hands frequently, and not attending school if they're running a fever of 100.5 or higher.
Students at the high school say they've been briefed by staff as well.
"They told us don't eat or drink after anyone. Don't use the same fork, don't drink after each other, cover your moth when you cough," said 16-year-old Joseph Fallia.
"Passing out notes letting everybody know it's out there," added 17-year-old Tyler Carr. "Letting us know how to protect ourselves and not get sick is a good thing."
While no cases have been reported in her kids' schools, Lisa's glad the district got the word out so she can prepare and protect her kids from coming home from school with anything more than their assignments.
According to District Superintendent Larry Smith, the district checked with the Arkansas Department of Health to find out if there was more the district could do.
"They basically told us the virus had to run its course and no special disinfectants would help slow it down," Smith said. "But the district is out of school tomorrow. And since the virus doesn't live very long outside the body, we're hoping the three-day weekend will help curb the spread."
Smith said parents shouldn't be panicked or think that this is an outbreak. The district has roughly 3,000 students enrolled, and while Smith said 12 cases is more than the district is used to seeing, it's a small percentage.
"Responsible," Haley replied as she rewrites the word.
Responsibility isn't just a spelling lesson for Lisa Bartlett and daughter Hailey.
"We have to be responsible for our actions," Bartlett uses the word in a sentence.
It's a discussion about how sickness spreads.
"To protect you and other people too, use hand sanitizer," Bartlett said. "If you cough, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Don't drink out of the water fountain, because the little kids could put their mouth on it. If they're sick, you don't even have to put your mouth there, the water will carry it up."
White Hall School District sent out a letter to alert parents that one dozen cases of mono have been reported among students across the district in elementary, middle, and high school.
"You better take it seriously," Bartlett said. " I'm not taking any chances."
Hailey's older brother was hospitalized eight years ago after catching mono.
"He couldn't breathe when he would lay down," Bartlett said. "That's when I learned that mono affects lymph nodes and glands. His tonsils were so swollen it was closing off his airways. The only indicator aside from that was a temperature I couldn't get to come down."
The firsthand crash course in the viciousness of the virus was no walk in the park.
"We spent four long days in the hospital with him and it was awful," Bartlette said. "Granted, my son has underlying issues. He has asthma. But it can lead to serious infections for any kid."
Mono is often called the kissing disease, but it's most commonly spread by coughing in addition to salive. So, the district's letter to parents is asking them to review safety tips with their kids like coughing into the sleeve at the elbow, washing hands frequently, and not attending school if they're running a fever of 100.5 or higher.
Students at the high school say they've been briefed by staff as well.
"They told us don't eat or drink after anyone. Don't use the same fork, don't drink after each other, cover your moth when you cough," said 16-year-old Joseph Fallia.
"Passing out notes letting everybody know it's out there," added 17-year-old Tyler Carr. "Letting us know how to protect ourselves and not get sick is a good thing."
While no cases have been reported in her kids' schools, Lisa's glad the district got the word out so she can prepare and protect her kids from coming home from school with anything more than their assignments.
According to District Superintendent Larry Smith, the district checked with the Arkansas Department of Health to find out if there was more the district could do.
"They basically told us the virus had to run its course and no special disinfectants would help slow it down," Smith said. "But the district is out of school tomorrow. And since the virus doesn't live very long outside the body, we're hoping the three-day weekend will help curb the spread."
Smith said parents shouldn't be panicked or think that this is an outbreak. The district has roughly 3,000 students enrolled, and while Smith said 12 cases is more than the district is used to seeing, it's a small percentage.
