Too Sick for School? - HEALTH GUIDELINES SPRING-FORD AREA DISTRICT ILLNESS SYMPTOM TREATMENT (Fever is defined as temperature 100.0 degrees or higher) ASTHMA *tightness in chest/throat *inhaler/nebulizer NO NO *coughing *rest, quiet, calm *wheezing *remove from irritants *anxiety/restlessness *seek medical assistance *lips/nails bluish color if no improvement CHICKENPOX *fever, loss of appetite, *call physician YES NO-UNLESS CHILD tiredness *soothing tepid baths RETURNS BEFORE THE *itching (oatmeal bath-good) ONE WEEK PERIOD *rash begins as small red *antihistamines or pink dot, rapidly pro- *calamine lotion *Vesicles must be dry and gresses to raised lesion, *keep skin clean to avoid scabbed before return & then a water center infections to class (otherwise child appears (vesicle, blister) **no aspirin** still contagious) *usually begins on trunk, *let physician know if then face & arms child is taking any medi- *incubation 14-21 days cations that contain a steroid (eg. Some asthma medications) COLD/COUGH (MILD) *no fever *extra fluids NO NO *no sneezing *rest *clear nasal discharge *decongestant COUGH/COLD (WORSE) *sneezing *call physician YES NO *with or without fever *fluids-keep hydrated *yellow/greenish secretions *difficulty breathing *tight-barky cough *dehydrated Page 1
CONJUNCTIVITIS *itching, burning eye *Physician must prescribe YES YES ("PINKEYE") *white/yellow discharge antibiotic eye drops child must be treated for (either note from MD or *bloodshot eye 24 hours before return proof of treatment with VERY CONTAGIOUS to school antibiotic eye drops) DIARRHEA *loose or watery bowel *no solid food YES NO movement *fluids-keep hydrated (must be free from *abdominal cramping or *contact physician if fever diarrhea for 24 hours) pain present, child lethargic, more fluids coming out than going in, or blood in stool (black or bright red) EARACHE *pain *call physician should see physician re: NO *fever diagnosis before coming *decreased hearing to school *may be contagious FEVER *temp of 100 degrees or *call physician YES NO higher *fluids-keep hydrated (must be fever-free for *fever present with any *acetaminophen or 24 hours before return of the following: ibuprofen to school) -sore throat *rest -earache -nausea -listlessness -rash Page 2
IMPETIGO *vesicle that rapidly be- *see physician YES YES comes pustular (like a *gently wash with soap or blister) septisol & remove as *honey-colored, loosely much of the crust as adherant crusts possible that easily comes *wet or crusted pustules off *usually on fingers, face *apply direct pressure to but possible anywhere stop any bleeding *contagious by direct or *cover with loose dressing secondary contact or bandaid *bacteria live under the *keep fingernails short crusts *may require antibiotics LICE *itching of scalp *see physician for pre- *YES *MD note or proof of *nits attached to hair scription or OTC (over *Child must be treated & treatment used must be (whitish-yellow, or the counter) medicine nit-free before re- presented brownish-yellow specks *nits must be individually admission to school that do not brush away) removed from hair shaft *child must be cleared by *lice (size of sesame *all personal bedding, school nurse for reseed) clothing, hair brushes, admission upholstery, car seat, *no bus use until cleared stuffed animals, etc. must be treated also *all family members must be treated *please alert playmates & any social organization to which child belongs **Most of all, please notify the school Page 3
MEASLES (RUBEOLA) *fever and malaise *see physician YES YES *cough, cold, red eyes *bed rest with fever *light-sensitive *keep hydrated *tiny red spots inside *give tylenol or ibuprofen mouth opposite molars for fever (no aspirin) appear 2 days before *tepid baths-avoid chilling body rash appears *dim lights *rash erupts first on face *soft, bland foods & works downward *keep skin clean *spots blend together *warm compresses to re- *contagious 1 day before move secretions from fever to 2 days after eyes rash appears *ear infection possible RASHES *any unusual rash on *see MD for diagnosis & YES YES *VIRAL body treatment *BACTERIAL *itching *fever *coughing *rapid pulse >120 *labored breathing RINGWORM (TINEA) *BODY-round, red lesions *see MD for diagnosis YES YES *BODY (CIRCINATA) on body or face *topical antifungals *SCALP (FAVUS) *gradually spread out & *watch for secondary clear in center infections (impetigo) *SCALP-small cirlce of baldness with broken off hairs in center Page 4
RUNNY NOSE *watery eyes *avoid allergens NO NO (ALLERGIC RHINITIS) *clear discharge from *antihistamines nose *wash hands frequently *avoid touching face *try to determine the cause SCABIES *itching (entire body is *see MD for diagnosis YES YES possible but especially *medicated body lotion PROOF OF MEDICAL between fingers, hands, *all personal articles must TREATMENT REQUIRED legs, groin) be washed BEFORE READMISSION *scratches *family members to be *itching worsens during checked/treated sleep *very contagious **Please notify school SORE THROAT *mild to moderate *acetaminophen or NO NO *no fever ibuprofen pain relievers *gargle with salt water *gargle with throat spray (pour 2 TBS. spray & add 1 TBS water) STREP THROAT *moderate to severe sore *see MD for diagnosis & YES NO throat treatment (must be treated 24 hrs. *fever, headache, abdom- *antibiotics prescribed with antibiotic before inal pain or vomiting returning to school) may be present *may or may not have pusfilled abscesses on tonsils *incubation of 2-5 days after exposure Page 5
STY *tiny abscess on edge of *warm compresses NO NO eyelid *opthalmic antibiotic *slight redness drops usually prescribed *if no improvement in 3 days, consult MD VOMITING *no food YES NO *ice chips as tolerated (must be free from *consult MD if fever vomiting for 24 hours present, or decreased uri before return output, or no relief to school) *reintroduce food slowly, clear liquids to start, then dry foods (toast, crackers) Page 6