Mrs. White, Mrs. Garcia

　

Mrs. White - I heard little Johnny came down with a case of meningitis last week. Isn't it terrible?

　

Mrs. Garcia - I am so sorry to hear it. But it worries me. My Carlos and also Eddie your son go to the same nursery school.

　

Mrs. White - I asked the Principal about it and they said they informed the local health department and then verified the type of meningitis so that they could check to see if the immunizations of the children were up to date.

　

Mrs. Garcia - For those without adequate immunization, is there any help?

　

Mrs. White - Well, I have heard that preventative antibiotics are available for some types of meningitis.

　

Mrs. Garcia - But the principal made no specific mention?

　

Mrs. White - No. But we can both ask today when we pick up our kids.

　

Mrs. Garcia - A good idea.

　

Nurse and Mother

　

Nurse - Ah, here we are. Finally we've arrived in the newborn wing.

　

Mother - I see. What are those infants being treated for over there, under the blue lights.

　

Nurse - Ah, those infants are undergoing treatment for jaundice -caused by an excess of bilirubin, which is secreted by the liver.

　

Mother - Do the lights bother them?

　

Nurse - I don't think so. They probably feel good to the infants, and they are also warm.

　

Mother - I worry about childhood diseases, you know. Common ones like Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) or Roseola are not so serious and can easily be treated, but ones like Strep Throat or Meningitis are really scary.

　

Nurse - Yes, but those factors which lead to the contraction of these illnesses can be avoided. For Strep Throat and Meningitis, make sure to avoid upper respiratory tract infections - taking care to be warm in cold weather, and washing of hands. Pinkeye can be avoided by taking care with towels and paper on which noses are cleaned on. And, of course, if symptoms do appear, consult a doctor with all possible speed.

　

Mother - Thank you.

　

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