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From the School Nurse...
Conditions that may be contagious could result in a student being sent home from school include, but are not limited to:
Fever (100.4 Fahrenheit OR HIGHER)
Hand-Foot-Mouth
Head lice or scabies
Pink eye with or without drainage
Recurrent diarrhea and/or stool incontinence
Skin rash or lesions
Vomiting
Poorly contained conditions that contaminate surfaces and pose a health risk to other students (whether suspected or confirmed diagnosis): MRSA, shingles, impetigo, ringworm.
Antibiotic Medication Guideline - If your child is prescribed antibiotic medication, then your child should not return to school until the child has been on their prescribed antibiotic for at least 24-48 hours. If the prescribed dose of antibiotic medication is only once or twice daily, then the child is expected to receive the prescribed dosage at home. If medication dosing is 3 or 4 times daily, then parents are permitted to administer medication to the child in the school setting or parents can complete a medication form for trained school personnel to administer the medication to their child(ren) during the school day.
Cold and Flu
| Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever |
Rare |
Usual, high (102-104 degrees F) |
| Headache |
Rare |
Common |
| Aches, Pains |
Slight |
Usual, often severe |
| Fatigue |
Sometimes |
Usual, can last up to 3 weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion |
Never |
Usual, at start of illness |
| Stuffy Nose |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
| Sore Throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort, Cough |
Mild to Moderate |
Common, can be severe |
| Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea |
Rare |
Rare |
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Most colds, viral in nature, can last 5-14 days. When symptoms are severe, worsen after the first week, or continue past 10-14 days, then evaluation is appropriate. An associated fever is not a disease, but a sign the body is fighting off an illness.
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A productive cough with green, brown, or bloody sputum does warrant a further medical evaluation.
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Nasal secretions that are green in color do not indicate a need for antibiotics. Associated symptoms and/or length of symptoms is key.
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| Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) is not the flu since influenza is a respiratory condition. Gastroenteritis is generally caused by viruses, bacteria, or even parasites and generally lasts 1-2 days, rarely up to 10. |
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