Bed Bugs

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

:cry:

What is your protocol?

K student complained of "foot pain" so her teacher pulled off her boot and EIGHT bed bugs came scrambling of her shoe!!! She killed them all, brought one to me to confirm. Student told me "I have been sleeping on an air mattress in my living room because I have bugs all over my bed in my room". So the parents are aware. I have all her stuff bagged up and sealed. Classroom is carpeted and the teachers are freaking out. This is our first case where we have actually seen the bugs brought to school, usually I just see the bites.

I am in Massachusetts, if any MA nurses have dealt with this and can offer up State-specific guidelines. I am going onto the DOH website now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NCSN.

I'm itching with you now. I hate bed bugs more than lice.

I skimmed through the above and it is similar to my state. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Get the parents on board with sending her things bagged if possible to help stop the possible spread into the school. Your district might have protocol to follow (live bugs found usually means the district will send in an exterminator asap)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It does not sound like parents are treating the problem at home? I know this is a daunting task and they may need help. We have a school fund for district families that might need help from time to time, it sounds like this could be one of those times. If their solution is sleeping in a different room, then it is only going to get worse. I would call parents and discuss! But EIGHT...so many emoji's for this thread...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.

Missed this thread! And yep, PM me if you want.

They are fun. But usually easy to keep from spreading at school, actually. (PS: I so hate carpeted classrooms! So much invitation for things to live in and dust and ugh - is it fully carpeted or it is a rug that can be rolled up and steam cleaned?).

Mass.gov resource is great place to start.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Missed this thread! And yep, PM me if you want.

They are fun. But usually easy to keep from spreading at school, actually. (PS: I so hate carpeted classrooms! So much invitation for things to live in and dust and ugh - is it fully carpeted or it is a rug that can be rolled up and steam cleaned?).

Mass.gov resource is great place to start.

EVERY classroom is fully carpeted which is horrendous! I can't tell you how many kids have vomited in their classrooms. They clearly did not consult anyone when they built the school a couple years ago. We have a company coming in with dogs to see if there are any here, and our counselor is trying to get a hold of mom (she is not returning calls) to ask her if the landlord is aware and make sure mom knows the landlord is responsible for getting rid of them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ooooooo, I'm so itchy now!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
EVERY classroom is fully carpeted which is horrendous! I can't tell you how many kids have vomited in their classrooms. They clearly did not consult anyone when they built the school a couple years ago. We have a company coming in with dogs to see if there are any here, and our counselor is trying to get a hold of mom (she is not returning calls) to ask her if the landlord is aware and make sure mom knows the landlord is responsible for getting rid of them.

Ewwww....

My school had two classroom with rugs in them. One of my severe asthma students had reactions in both rooms despite all the vacuuming those poor teachers did. So I emailed the head of my school and used if the rugs could be removed over the summer and why this was important from a health standpoint.

And they REMOVED THEM.

I was shocked! But sometimes, folks listen. I sent a lovely follow-up thank you email.

Hard to do and entire school, of course, but I do wonder if you see any impact from the carpets on the students with asthma in your school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment