Read Talking about PI and IVIg treatments, part I: At home
We recently blogged about the importance of bringing the topic of PI and IVIg into the household, especially for children living with this condition. But often your child spends just as much time at school and on play dates with friends as they do at home.
If your child has a Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), one of the most important things you can do for him or her is to build understanding with schoolmates, friends and teachers. Working to develop a cooperative relationship with officials and teachers at school can be an assurance that your child is both safe and comfortable outside of the home.
One way to do this is send a letter with your child to educators that can help them understand PI and also how your child should be treated. The National Primary Immunodeficiency Center has sample letters that you can download if you aren’t sure where to begin. The Immune Deficiency Foundation has published a guide for schools with detailed information for everything, from how to talk to various personnel at schools to how and where to find accessible information about therapy. There are plenty of resources online at your fingertips.
Knowing that your child is in good hands, when even when he or she isn’t always within arm’s reach, can be a huge relief as well as good for your child’s physical and emotional health.
A few more practical tips:
– Make sure your child’s teachers, classmates and friends’ parents understand that PI is not contagious. They will be reassured to know that your child does not pose a risk to others.
– Let adults know that your child is able to participate in normal activities during both class and recess.
– Bring good hygiene practices to school: have your child’s teacher encourage children to wash their hands after using the restroom, sneezing and blowing their noses (other parents will love this too!)
– If classmates come to school sick, have the teacher send them to the nurse’s office, or relocate them to the opposite side of the classroom to reduce risk for your child.
– Ask the school to contact you if your child appears to be experiencing symptoms such as headaches, sinus pain, fatigue, fevers, cough and so on. These alerts mean your child may be susceptible to a virus or infection, and with the school’s cooperation, you will always be aware of potential problems.
Sources
http://www.primaryimmune.org/
http://www.info4pi.org/patientinfo/index.cfm?section=patientinfo&content=living