ST. IGNATIUS — It takes a village to raise a child — and a community to keep them healthy. That’s the point Margene Asay, the coordinator at the Tribal Health Center in St. Ignatius, was hoping to get across as part of a two day “Just Do It for Our Kids Health Fair” that took place last Thursday and Friday.

Flu prevention was a major theme at the fair as the fall weather has brought a new breed of flu season, which includes the H1N1 virus.

 Schools throughout the county have seen increased sickness, and encourage ill students to stay home to stop the spread. One feature of the fair was free flu shots.

The fair also sought to educate parents and children on flu and other healthy actions people can include in their daily lives.

Thursday’s event, held in St. Ignatius, and Friday’s, held at Two Eagle River School in Pablo, had heavy attendance and lots of fun, educational events for both children and their parents.

“We wanted to do something good for the kids and involve their parents,” Asay said. “Sometimes the parents need education about what is healthy as well.”

Upon arriving at the fair, children checked in and were given a sheet to record different medical statistics, including weight, blood pressure and height. An obstacle course spanning the community center gym floor awaited the eager tykes. The course included a gaping mouth promoting dental health to walk through, a skeleton to maneuver and encourage healthy bones and fake veins that provided a fun diversion. Children received tooth brushes and toothpaste and all sorts of toys and games promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Asay said the money to fund the fair came from a Montana State University Nutrition and Fitness grant that Tribal Health accepted. The hope is to use the money for events like the health fair once a year, but also include monthly activities to keep children active. Some ideas include “ski with your doctor day,” expanding the Native Games and just opening the gym to let the kids run around and stay active.

“We want to record different health factors so in a year or so we can prove to everybody that fitness and good nutrition are important for everyone’s health,” Asay said. “It’s important for all of us to work as  community.”

Also part of the fair was a car seat giveaway for families as part of a “Buckle Up Montana” initiative. The Lake County Public Health Department donated 25 seats and Tribal Health another 25, ensuring that families that needed a seat could get one.

The hottest topic at the fair was rightfully the flu, both seasonal and “swine.” Up the road in Polson, Millie Nesladek, the school nurse at Linderman Elementary School, said last week 64 students of 378 total were absent, a much higher number than the average 20 or so children out of school each day. While not all attributed as flu absences, Nesladek feels fairly certain a majority are.

“In the last two weeks we’ve had an upsurge in absenteeism,” Nesladek said. “We’ve even sent a letter home to families encouraging them to keep sick kids home 24 hours after their fever breaks.”

Younger children aren’t as hygienic as the older children, Polson High School attendance secretary Nancy Hemphill said last week, so the importance of good hygiene is especially significant when dealing with younger kids.

To help out, Asay also made sure the fair, catered toward a young demographic, included flu prevention as a major theme.

“We just have to be aware, not afraid of it, but aware that it’s here,” Asay said. “We want the parents to do their part at home. We need to take a good preventative stance on it.”

Part of the prevention included teaching them good hand washing techniques. Volunteers at the fair had the kids say their ABCs while washing with soap to make sure they rid themselves of germs. These simple practices can help keep children healthy and in turn, keep the whole community running.

Flu Limits visitors, St. Luke’s

“Stop” signs are popping up in the halls of St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan. The stop signs are a part of the “Stop the Flu” campaign being waged by the Ronan hospital to minimize the prevalence and severity of an influenza outbreak this fall.

“We are taking a proactive stance to limit exposure to our patients and staff by amending our visitation policy,” St. Luke CEO Shane Robert said.

Following recommendations of the Center for Disease Control, effective immediately, those under the age of 18 will not be permitted to visit St. Luke hospital unless they are seeking medical care.

Roberts points out that this is a temporary change in the Ronan hospital’s visitation policy.

“Early evidence shows that the young population has a higher incidence of infection with H1N1 flu and is contagious 24-hours prior to the on-set of symptoms,” Robert said.

Adults are asked to be caution as well.

“We are also asking adult visitors with flu-like symptoms to stay home,” said Donna McDaniel, Infection Control Nurse at St. Luke.

The flu indicators are fever, sore throat, cough, body aches and fatigue. McDaniel said that it is recommended a person stay home for at least 24-hours after they are fever free adding.

“We understand that these limitations may be an inconvenience but will change over time as the situation warrants,” McDaniel said.

-Courtesy of Wayne Fuchs