ILLNESS GUIDELINES

Knowing if and when to send your child to school or to keep them at home when they are ill or have a particular health issue, can be a challenging and difficult decision. The following information is based on Kansas Communicable Disease guidelines. This information is intended to help with those decisions.

Please notify the school nurse or secretary if your child has of these symptoms or any other medical condition which may be considered contagious and could affect their school day activities.

Fever: If the student’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher, they should stay home, even if the temperature can be controlled with medication. They may return to school when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of any temperature-reducing medication. When at school, if a student’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher, they will be sent home.

Colds/Coughing: Student should stay home until they are no longer frequently coughing or sneezing. Cough drops and/or other over-the-counter medicine are not permitted unless accompanied with a signed permission form from parent/guardian. All medication or cough drops must be sent in the original container labeled with student’s name. Please see “Medication at School” policy in student handbook.

Diarrhea and/or Vomiting. Student should stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours. (no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours) Students who vomit or have diarrhea at school will be sent home. If diarrhea/vomiting occurs at home during the night, or weekend, these same guidelines apply.

Fifth Disease: Most contagious before onset of rash. Student may return to school after rash appears, following “fever” guidelines.

Influenza (flu): When diagnosed with specific Influenza (type A or B, etc) student must stay home for 5 days following the onset of illness OR until student has been fever-free for 24 hour without the use of medication (Tylenol, etc.) which ever is longest.

For non-specific flu diagnosis, symptoms of Fever, Cold/cough and Diarrhea/vomiting guidelines apply in deciding when to return to school. Cough and fatigue may last several weeks. Encourage good hand washing with your student and other family members.

Impetigo: Refer to Staph/MRSA/Impetigo section.

Lice: Student may return to school after treatment has been started with an approved pediculicide shampoo and as many nits (eggs) have been removed as possible. Treatment is to be repeated in 1 week or according to package directions. (CDC recommended shampoos: Nix, Rid, A-200, Pronto, or Triple X)

Persistent Runny Nose: Discharge that is cloudy and/or greenish colored, parent should contact family health-care provider for advise, with or without other symptoms (fever, cough, headache, etc.) student should stay home until cleared by physician. Encourage good hand washing with student and other family members.

Pinkeye: or Conjunctivitis, Student may return to school once any prescribed therapy has been started and student is able to avoid frequent close contact with other students. Younger students are encouraged to return 24 hours after treatment is started. Encourage good hand washing.

Ringworm: Student may return after beginning prescribed treatment with a fungicide. Student should not participate in activities involving skin-to-skin contact until lesions are completely healed.

Staph/MRSA/Impetigo: Student may return after prescription treatment has been started, generally after 24 hours. Open wounds must be kept covered at all times, including PE, sports practices, games, etc. See MRSA information on school website. Practice and encourage good hand washing.

Strep throat: Student may return to school after being on prescribed antibiotics for 24 hours, is fever-free for 24 hours without medication ( see Fever) and is feeling well enough to cope with school routines and activities.

Scabies: Student may return to school 24 hours after being treated with appropriate anti parasitic. Clothing worn next to skin and all bedding should be laundered.

If in doubt with any of these conditions or other symptoms, contact your family health-care provider and/or the school nurse.

Blue Valley High/Middle