Northwood School Nurse Update  

Is Your Child:  Too Sick for School? 

FEVER:
If you find your child's temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, keep your child home.  Your child should be fever-free  for 24 hours (without taking medicine such as Tylenol to lower temperature) before returning  to school.

COUGH/RUNNYNOSE:
If there is no fever and the child feels fairly   good, school is fine.  If, however, the child is coughing severely and congested...keep them home for an additional day to rest and take in fluids.  Child should stay home and see a doctor if the cough is severe, or if it is  accompanied by body aches, chills, fever and sore throat.

PINK EYE:  (Conjunctivitis)
Physician  consult required.  Keep the child home until a doctor has given the OK to return to school.  Pink Eye is HIGHLY CONTAGEOUS, and most cases are caused by a virus  which  will not respond to an antibiotic.  Bacterial  conjunctivitis  will require  an antibiotic;  your doctor will be able to determine the cause.  Either type usually requires drops prescribed by a physician.  Remind children not to rub or touch their eyes, and to wash their hands frequently.  They should not share towels and washcloths with other family members.

RASH: 
Children  with  a skin rash should see a doctor, as this could be one of several infectious diseases, or an allergic reaction.

EARACHES:
Your child should see a doctor to determine if infection is present and if treatment is needed.

SORE THROAT:
A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be because of a serious infection such as strep, even if there is no fever.   Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset.

FLU:
Flu  generally has a rapid onset and is accompanied by severe body aches, chills, fever, cough, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.   Children may be pale, and are obviously sick.   The fever is usually high.  They may have all or only some of the symptoms listed above.  Consult your doctor as soon as possible for advice about treating the symptoms.

NAUSEA/VOMITING AND DIARRHEA:
Keep your child home for 24 hours after last episode.  Offer fluids, as tolerated.  Consult physician if symptoms are severe.  Child may need medication to control the symptoms.

KEEP  YOUR CHILD HOME FOR 24 HOURS IF ANTIBIOTICS ARE PRESCRIBED FOR  ANY REASON.   CHILDREN  ARE CONSIDERED CONTAGEOUS UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED ANTIBIOTICS FOR 24 HOURS.