Maintaining good health throughout your lifetime means keeping track of many things. In this section are general tips and links to help you stay healthy. "Staph" infections, caused by bacteria, have been around for a long time. Because of the recent press, the Virginia Department of Health has published a list of things parents and teachers can do to help prevent the spread of any bacterial infection: Practical Advice for Parents Clean wounds and cover them with a clean, dry bandage. Wounds that do not heal properly need medical attention. Teach children to wash their hands regularly, such as before eating and after toileting. Be sure your family members use antibiotics properly. Take all that are prescribed, even if the symptoms stop before the prescription is used up. Do not share prescriptions. Children who participate in sporting events should wash their hands after each practice and game. They should not share equipment, uniforms, towels, or other personal items (e.g., razors). Wash uniforms and towels with hot water and detergent after each use. Practical Advice for Teachers Observe children for open wounds. If any are draining or contain pus, refer the child to the school nurse. Encourage hand washing before eating and after toileting. Coaches should ensure that athletes wash their hands, cover their wounds, and not share personal items and towels. Disinfection Hand washing and wound care remain the primary means of preventing staph infections. In athletics, mats, benches or other shared athletic equipment that might have skin contact should be disinfected after each game or practice. Contaminated surfaces may be cleaned using an EPA-registered cleaner or bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Routine cleaning is all that is recommended. For more information on good hygiene and preventing staff infections, please go to Virginia Department of Health. For general information about MRSA in schools please go to Centers for Disease Control MRSA in Schools Facts.

For general health information, please click on a link or PDF file below. Advance directive forms are available to download in English and in Spanish below, as well as instructions on how to complete the form. Advance Directive Form in English (PDF) Directive Medica in Espanol (PDF) How To Complete An Advance Directive (PDF) General Health Tips (PDF) Personal Medication Form (PDF) Medlineplus Health Information from the National Institutes of Health American Cancer Society American Heart Association Body Mass Index Calculator SeniorNavigator.com - Virginia's Source for Health and Aging To view educational videos about quitting smoking and commonly asked questions, please visit Quit Smoking Videos.