Should My Child Attend School Today?
This is offered for informational purposes. It should not be used as a substitute for an evaluation by your physician.
Keeping students healthy can be a major effort for both school personnel and parents. Here are some guidelines to consider when deciding whether your child should attend school.
1. Fever is a sign of illness or infection. If your child has a temperature of 100 or above, he/she should remain at home. Children must be free of fever for 24 hours without fever medication before returning to school.
2. Vomiting and Diarrhea are often contagious. Your child should be watched closely for dehydration and/or bloody stools. Children must be free of diarrhea and vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school.
3. Children often have runny noses and coughs during the cold and allergy seasons. These should be watched carefully. Your child should remain at home if he/she is too uncomfortable to benefit from instruction, has a frequent cough and/or thick, discolored nasal discharge. If these symptoms persist, a doctor should be consulted.
4. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathing problems. Keep your child at home and seek medical advise when they have a fever, signs of infection, wheezing which continues to increase one hour after medicine is taken, they are too weak/tired to take part in routine daily actives or breathing is labored, irregular or rapid.
5. Ringworm is a fungal infection the skin and may be spread from one child to the other. The student must be seen by a doctor and be on medication for 24 hours before returning to school. A note from the doctor is required before being admitted to class. All infected areas must be covered.
6. Rashes very widely, both in appearance and severity. A doctor should be consulted if a rash accompanies an illness, if the rash covers a large portion of the body, if the rash is spreading, or if the child is too uncomfortable (itching, pain). If it is necessary to consult a doctor, a letter is required when returning to school.
7. Sores may be caused by a bacterial skin infection. These often begin around the nose and mouth but may appear at the site of a minor injury and then spread to normal skin nearby. This type of infection is contagious and may cause serious problems for the infected child. A doctor's note is required when returning to school, and the student must have been on prescribed medication for 24 hours.
8. Pinkeye is another common condition seen in schools. It is contagious and must be treated with a medication prescribed by a doctor. Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, drainage and excessive matter upon awakening in the morning. The eye lids may be "stuck" together. DO NOT send student to school with these symptoms. Student may return to school after being on medication for 24 hours, and if symptoms have disappeared. A note from the physician is necessary upon returning to school.
9. Head Lice is often a problem. Any child can get head lice, but it is treatable with time and patience. Evergreen follows a "NIT FREE" policy. This means a child must be clear of lice and/or eggs before returning to school.
* If your child has a medical condition, please notify appropriate staff so appropriate measures can be taken.
The Definition of a FEVER is . . . .
The child who has a temperature of 100 degrees, taken under the arm(auxillary), translates to a 101 degree temperature. Children with a fever will be sent home, and should remain home until he/she has been fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT MEDICATION!!! If your child has a fever that has been recurring more than 48 hours (goes down with medicine-then returns when medication wears off) he/she will be sent home and we will recommend consultation with a physician. Thank you for your understanding.
What is: Respiratory Syncytial Virus
About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages, is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children.In adults, it may only produce symptoms of a common cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache, cough, fever, and a general feeling of being ill. But in premature babies and kids with diseases that affect the lungs, heart, or immune system, RSV infections can lead to other more serious illnesses.
RSV is highly contagious and can be spread through droplets containing the virus when someone coughs or sneezes. It also can live on surfaces (such as countertops or doorknobs) and on hands and clothing, so can be easily spread when a person touches something contaminated.
RSV can spread rapidly through schools and childcare centers. Babies often get it when older kids carry the virus home from school and pass it to them. Almost all kids are infected with RSV at least once by the time they're 2 years old.
RSV infections often occur in epidemics that last from late fall through early spring. Respiratory illness caused by RSV — such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia — usually lasts about a week, but some cases may last several weeks.
Doctors typically diagnose RSV by taking a medical history and doing a physical exam. Generally, in healthy kids it's not necessary to distinguish RSV from a common cold. But if a child has other health conditions, a doctor might want to make a specific diagnosis; in that case, RSV is identified in nasal secretions collected either with a cotton swab or by suction through a bulb syringe.
Preventing RSV
Because RSV can be easily spread by touching infected people or surfaces, frequent hand washing is key in preventing its transmission. Try to wash your hands after having any contact with someone who has cold symptoms. And keep your school-age child with a cold away from younger siblings — particularly infants — until the symptoms pass.To prevent serious RSV-related respiratory disease, at-risk kids can be given a monthly injection of a medication consisting of RSV antibodies during peak RSV season (roughly November to April). Because its protection is short-lived, it has to be given in subsequent years until the child is no longer at high risk for severe RSV infection. Ask the doctor if your child is considered high risk.
Treating RSV
Fortunately, most cases of RSV are mild and require no specific treatment from doctors. Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Medication may sometimes be given to help open airways.In an infant, however, an RSV infection can be more serious and may require hospitalization so that the baby can be watched closely, receive fluids, and, if necessary, be treated for breathing problems.
At home, make a child with an RSV infection as comfortable as possible, allow time for recovery, and provide plenty of fluids. The last part can be tricky, however, because babies may not feel like drinking. In that case, offer fluids in small amounts at more frequent intervals than usual.
To help your child breathe easier, use a cool-mist vaporizer during the winter months to keep the air moist — winter air can dry out airways and make the mucus stickier. Avoid hot-water and steam humidifiers, which can be hazardous and can cause scalding. If you use a cool-mist humidifier, clean it daily with household bleach to discourage mold.
If your child is uncomfortable and too young to blow his or her own nose, use a nasal aspirator (or bulb syringe) to remove sticky nasal fluids.
Treat fever using a nonaspirin fever medicine like acetaminophen. Aspirin should not be used in children with viral illnesses, as such use has been associated with Reye syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
When to Call the Doctor
Call the doctor if your child has any of these symptoms:- high fever with ill appearance
- thick nasal discharge
- worsening cough or cough that produces yellow, green, or gray mucus
- signs of dehydration
Seek immediate medical help if you feel your child is having difficulty breathing or is breathing very rapidly, is lethargic, or if his or her lips or fingernails appear blue.
Teething and Fever
Does teething cause fever? Most experts will tell you that teething does not cause fever and definitely does not cause a high fever. It may cause a low grade fever though, especially on the day that the tooth actually erupts, but when in doubt, don't blame your child's fever on teething, especially since it could be a coincidence and your child could be teething and have another illness causing the fever.
In addition, teething is not usually thought to cause diarrhea, a decreased appetite for liquids, other types of rashes, or a cough.
In addition, teething is not usually thought to cause diarrhea, a decreased appetite for liquids, other types of rashes, or a cough.
A good rule of thumb is
If a child is too sick to play at home, they are definitely too sick to be at daycare. If you have a question on
whether your child can attend school or not, call first before bringing your child in. Bringing your child to daycare and not knowing for sure whether or not they can attend is very upsetting -seeing their friends enjoying activities and playing games may cause additional upset.
Parental Wisdom - But A Little Gross
(Just Warning You!)
Okay, so we have all experienced the gross, nasty, runny nose that seems to never end. Now, if you are a parent who has successfully taught your child to blow their nose, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! But, if you are still trying to master this task, you may be interested in this product. One of our parents, who is a nurse, shared this with us. Nose Bulb syringes have NOTHING on the NOSE FRIDA!!!! It works great! And, it will help your little angel rest better at night~ that is priceless!!!! You can not buy this product in any store-Not even WALMART! So, get online if you are interested.
How Do You Know If You Have The Flu?
Again, this information is not to replace seeing your physician. It is for quick reference only!
5 Rules Recommended for Childcare Facilities-
FLU SEASON!!!
RULE #1 - Wash Hands Often
It seems simple and obvious, but this little step can really make a difference. Provide child-friendly disinfectant rub for when they enter the daycare. Use a child-friendly tinted soap before and after they eat. Children will like the tint and you will be able to see the tinted bubbles showing that their whole hand has been washed.
RULE #2 - Send home children that have high fever
Be firm with this rule. Although, it will be inconvenient for parents to leave work to take their children home, it will help contain the spread of the illness and will allow the child to get the rest they need to get better soon.
RULE #3 - Have a disinfect bin to wash toys that have been in children's mouths
What goes in a child's mouth must go in the sink. Having a bin in the playroom that you and the older children can plunk dirty toys in will help cut down on the germs. Wash plastic toys in a dishwasher or in a disinfectant dish soap.
RULE #4 - Hire a Cleaning Service to Disinfect Your Daycare Area and Home
In addition to the regular disinfecting you will be doing, you will find that having a cleaning service come in once a week will prove to be invaluable. The bonus is that it gives you a break too.
RULE #5 - BE A CONSCIENTIOUS DIAPER CHANGER
Did you know that a lot of bacteria is spread through bowel movements? There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and the other children from these germs. A) Wear gloves when you do every change B) Use a clean towel or changing blanket for each new change C) Keep all childrens' diapers, creams, and wipes separate. You will likely not get through the season without at least one of your children getting sick; that you cannot control. But you can control the cleanliness of your own space and your children and parents will thank you for it.
FLU SEASON!!!
RULE #1 - Wash Hands Often
It seems simple and obvious, but this little step can really make a difference. Provide child-friendly disinfectant rub for when they enter the daycare. Use a child-friendly tinted soap before and after they eat. Children will like the tint and you will be able to see the tinted bubbles showing that their whole hand has been washed.
RULE #2 - Send home children that have high fever
Be firm with this rule. Although, it will be inconvenient for parents to leave work to take their children home, it will help contain the spread of the illness and will allow the child to get the rest they need to get better soon.
RULE #3 - Have a disinfect bin to wash toys that have been in children's mouths
What goes in a child's mouth must go in the sink. Having a bin in the playroom that you and the older children can plunk dirty toys in will help cut down on the germs. Wash plastic toys in a dishwasher or in a disinfectant dish soap.
RULE #4 - Hire a Cleaning Service to Disinfect Your Daycare Area and Home
In addition to the regular disinfecting you will be doing, you will find that having a cleaning service come in once a week will prove to be invaluable. The bonus is that it gives you a break too.
RULE #5 - BE A CONSCIENTIOUS DIAPER CHANGER
Did you know that a lot of bacteria is spread through bowel movements? There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and the other children from these germs. A) Wear gloves when you do every change B) Use a clean towel or changing blanket for each new change C) Keep all childrens' diapers, creams, and wipes separate. You will likely not get through the season without at least one of your children getting sick; that you cannot control. But you can control the cleanliness of your own space and your children and parents will thank you for it.
