Health Reminder

FROM YOUR SCHOOL NURSES

Since this time of the year tends to be a season for colds, flu and other illnesses, we feel that it is an appropriate time to review good health practices for you and your children.

The best way to prevent the spread of disease is to keep children home from school if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

1.    A temperature of 99.5 degrees or above.  Following any illness, the temperature should remain normal for a period of 24 hours without fever reducing medication before the child returns to school.

2.    Sore or red throat, earache or swollen glands.

3.    Any undiagnosed rash or skin eruption.  Children cannot attend school with a rash unless we have a doctor’s note informing us that the rash is not contagious.

4.    Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  Do not send a child to school until 24 hours have elapsed since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.

5.    Eyes that appears reddened and/or crusted, unless we have a doctor’s note that it is not a communicable conjunctivitis.

6.    Acting listless or drowsy, complaining of headache, appearing flushed, or has a lack of appetite.

7.    Coughing, sniffling, or runny nose.   Many communicable diseases begin with these symptoms and are most contagious at this time.

There are several ways in which you can protect yourself and your children from communicable diseases:

           

1.    Good hand washing, especially before eating and always after using the bathroom, prevents germs from entering our mouths.

2.    Getting plenty of rest helps avoid stress to the immune systems.

3.    Eating three nutritious meals each day enhances our immune systems.

4.    Not sharing food or drinks prevents the spread of germs.

5.    Covering mouths when coughing or sneezing and disposing of tissues in a lined wastebasket helps to prevent the spread of infections.

These same simple practices will also help to prevent the spread of more serious diseases.  If you have questions or concerns about the spread of infection, please feel free to contact the nurse at your child’s school

District 25 Health Services Staff