Communicable Diseases
As a school community we try to minimize the spread of communicable disease by encouraging frequent hand washing and through the regular cleaning of community surfaces. Parents can also help by keeping students home if they exhibit the following symptoms (please see links below for further guidance):
- Fever: Children should be kept home from school if they have a temperature of 101 degrees F or above (orally). Children should not return to school until they have been fever-free, without medication, for at least 24 hours.
- Vomiting: In general, children should not return to school until 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting.
- Diarrhea: If a child has had 2 or more episodes of diarrhea within a 24-hour period, they should stay home for at least 24 hours after the last episode of loose stools.
- Rash: Any illness involving a rash should be evaluated by a health care professional.
- Ear or Eye Discharge: This could be a sign of a bacterial infection and should be evaluated by a health care professional.
- Severe Sore Throat: This may indicate strep throat and should be evaluated by a health care professional.
- Flu-like Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, runny nose, mild sore throat and severe cough. Children should not return to school until they have been fever-free, without medication, for at least 24 hours.
Any student exhibiting any of these symptoms will be sent home based on the guidelines established by the Washtenaw County Public Health Department.
Parents are required to report illness to the school office when a child is absent. Please report symptoms, especially respiratory concerns, fever and vomiting as well as any confirmed diagnosis (Strep throat, pink eye, impetigo, etc.) to the office. This helps us know when to notify other families about illness and also helps us track illness trends at school. This information is also reported weekly to the local health department and is used to track illness trends in our county.
The following is a guideline for some common childhood illnesses and infections.
Exclusion Recommendations
- Chickenpox (Varicella) -Until all lesions are crusted over and until at least 6 days after appearance of first lesion.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye), bacterial - Until there is no drainage from eye and after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment
- Fifth Disease - May return to school when feeling better
- Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease - Until recovered from acute illness and fever-free for 24 hours
- Impetigo - Minimum of 24 hours of antibiotic and until lesions are dry.
- Mononucleosis - Upon recommendation of health care provider
- Ringworm - Minimum of 24 hours of treatment, area should be covered
- Scabies - May return upon completion of health care provider prescribed treatment
- Scarlet Fever - May return if feeling better and after 24 hours minimum of antibiotic treatment
- Strep Throat - May return if feeling better and after 24 hours minimum of antibiotic treatment
- Pediculosis (Head Lice) - Refer to Infestation Menu Bar
MORE RESOURCES:
Communicable Disease Fact Sheets (Washtenaw County Health Department)
Managing Communicable Diseases in Schools (MDHHS) - Information on common childhood diseases and when an infected individual can be readmitted to school.
When should your child be kept home from school due to illness
- Fact Sheet: When Should a Child be Kept Home or Sent Home from School for Illness
- Fact Sheet: School Exclusion during Disease Outbreaks
