FHASD Health Protocol

Every year, a number of students become ill for many reasons, including exposure to other ill children in the classroom. To help you make decisions about whether your child should attend school, here is a list of guidelines for the child to stay home or be sent home from school. (Resource: Clinical Guidelines for School Nurses 2017), CDC 2020, RWBHC 2020.

1. Fever: Fever is a physiological response to inflammation or an infection which probably helps the body’s defense mechanism. Your child must stay home from school with a temperature of 100 and must be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.

2. Sore throat: Sore throat can be caused by infection (viral or bacterial), irritation (air pollution, allergens, sinus drainage). A sore throat with fever and/or white spots on the throat the child should not come to school and be evaluated by PCM. If strep throat is diagnosed, the child must be on medication and fever free 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to school.

3. Rash with/without fever and/or signs of illness or behavioral changes (i.e. chicken pox, measles, etc.) Even non-contagious rash conditions can be a symptom of health threat. Please have child evaluated by PCM prior to coming to school. Medical attention may be needed to reduce symptoms or disease risks.

4. Skin sores on an exposed surface that are weeping fluid and cannot be covered should not be at school and be evaluated by PCM.

5. Vomiting (not caused by motion sickness or gag reflex and/or unassociated with an illness) should stay home. A child must be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

6. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is an increase in the number of stools and loosening/softening in consistency in relation to the patient’s normal stool pattern. Severe diarrhea stools are watery, may be green and/or contain mucous or blood. Causes maybe viral, bacterial, protozoan and/or malabsorption syndromes. The child should stay home from school if 2 or more loose/watery stools in a 24 hour period. A child must be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

7. Persistent cough. If your child has a persistent cough and/or shortness of breath they should not come to school and be evaluated by his/her PCM. Call your primary care provider.

8. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation and/or infection of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane lining the eye). Causes of conjunctivitis may be allergens, irritants, (foreign object, dust, smoke), bacterial or viral infections. Registered Nurse may not exclude those whose conjunctivitis is mild or associated with a cold or allergy. All non-licensed personnel should exclude ALL cases for medical evaluation. Health care provider may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment. Students may return to school when treatment has begun.

9. Swelling or pain at a level that interferes with learning should stay home from school and be evaluated by PCM.

10. Active (live) head lice: A child must remain at home until he/she is treated with pediculicide. A child may return to school after treatment and if there are no live lice present. Please notify the Health Office as the student must be cleared to attend class.
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