Classroom Infection Prevention

 CLASSROOM INFECTION PREVENTION

Students should not attend school if:

·      The student has a fever. The student may return to school after having a normal temperature for at least 24 hours while not taking any fever reducing medications (ex. Tylenol or Motrin).

·      They seem tired/lethargic, pale, with little appetite, and generally "not him/herself”.

·      The student is vomiting. The student may return to school approximately 24 hours after symptoms resolve, and is able to tolerate a normal diet.

·      The student has diarrhea. The student may return to school approximately 24 hours after symptoms resolve, and is able to tolerate a normal diet.

·      The student has severe cold symptoms, upper respiratory infection, a persistent cough, a runny nose that they cannot manage by themselves &/or contain with tissues, or other symptoms that would interfere with effective school participation.

·      The student is diagnosed with a communicable disease or illness.   (ex: Influenza, Pneumonia, Strep Throat, Pertussis, head lice, Chicken pox (Varicella), impetigo, scabies).  Please contact your school nurse before sending your child back to school. 

Remember the 24 Hour rule of thumb!

 

Return to school guidelines

                                                  

Students may return to school after the following:

24 hours without temperature (and without taking fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil/Motrin)

24 hours without nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (and tolerating a normal diet)

If your child still seems tired, pale, with little appetite, not tolerating solid foods, and generally "not him/herself", PLEASE do not send him/her to school.  Some viral illnesses may take longer before your child is well enough to return to school.

Cold or Flu?

It is time to start thinking about how to prepare for the cold and flu season. Although many viruses can cause a cold, Influenza (flu) is one of the most dangerous. Influenza (flu) season typically starts in the fall and peaks in January or February.  The following are some everyday practices to keep from getting and spreading the flu.

• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve, not your hand.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.

  For more information regarding the flu, click on the link below.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Welcome

At A.C. Williams Elementary, we are dedicated to keeping your child healthy and in school.  This blog is being set up to share current health information and important documents that you may need throughout the school year.  You can find out the most frequent symptoms that children are complaining of and frequently asked questions.  You can sign up by adding your email and anytime something new is posted, an alert will be sent to your email.  It is our hope to strengthen communication with our families.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments