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Concussion Management and Awareness

The Concussion Management and Awareness Act went into effect on July 1, 1012, for all public and charter schools.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a reaction by the brain to a jolt or force that can transmitted to the head by an impact or blow occurring anywhere on the body. Essentially, a concussion results from the brain moving back and forth or twisting rapidly inside the skull.

Facts about concussions from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

  • An estimated 4 million people under age 19 sustain a head injury annually. Of these, approximately 52,000 die and 275,000 are hospitalized.
  • An estimated 300,000 sports and recreation related concussions occur every year.
  • Students who have had at least one concussion are at an increased risk for another concussion.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a concussion are the result of a temporary change in the brain’s function. In most cases, the symptoms of a concussion generally resolve over a short period of time; however, in some cases, symptoms will last for weeks or longer. Children and adolescents are more susceptible to concussions and take longer than adults to recover.

It is imperative that any student who is suspected of having a concussion is removed from athletic activity (e.g. recess, PE class, sports) and remains out of such activities until evaluated and cleared to return to activity by a physician.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Decreased or absent memory of events prior to or immediately after the injury, or difficulty retaining new information
  • Confusion or appears dazed
  • Headache or head pressure
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Balance difficulties, dizziness, or clumsy movements
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light and/or sound
  • Nausea, vomiting and/or loss of appetite
  • Irritability, sadness, or other changes in personality
  • Feeling sluggish, foggy, or light-headed
  • Concentration or focusing problems
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue and/or sleep issues, or sleeping more than usual

Students who develop any of the following signs, or if signs and symptoms worsen, should be seen and evaluated immediately at the nearest hospital emergency room.

  • Headaches that worsen
  • Seizures
  • Looks drowsy and/or cannot be awakened
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Unable to recognize people or places
  • Weakness or numbing in arms or legs, facial drooping
  • Unsteady gait
  • Change in pupil size in one eye
  • Significant irritability
  • Any loss of consciousness
  • Suspicion for skull fracture: blood draining from ear or clear fluid from the nose