Communicable  Diseases

Communicable Diseases Health Room Staff Health Screening  Immunizations Medications in School Health and Wellness

The school environment is ideal for the spread of communicable disease. Communicable diseases are spread from person to person by respiratory droplets, body fluids, and or touching anything that has been in contact with the ill individual. The best method of preventing the spread of communicable disease is HANDWASHING!!  This NEEDS be done after toileting, before eating, and sneezing or coughing into your hand or tissue. Sick children need to stay home to heal and most of all to prevent spreading the illness to others.  A sick child should stay home for 24hrs after symptoms disappear.  By returning to school too soon symptoms may reappear, the child could have a relapse, and or infect other students and staff. If your child becomes ill during the school day, the health room staff will check for fever and determine if symptoms prevent him/her from participating in the school. If the student is unable to participate at school we call a parent to pick the student up. Guidelines for handling communicable diseases in the school setting are in the State School Health Manual. If you have any specific questions regarding communicable diseases, you can call the school nurse. You can also go The New Mexico Department of Health Website for more information. http://www.health.state.nm.us In order to minimizing the spread of a communicable disease at school, the following criteria must be considered to keep a child home from school. *Acute phase of cold/upper respiratory infection (cough, nasal drainage).  This is especially  important for students and those unable to care for their own body fluids.  *Elevated temperature (100 degrees or higher) *Nausea and or vomiting, persistent cough, earache, thick yellow nasal discharge, sore throat. *Stomach ache or diarrhea. Diarrhea (three or more times in six hours.)  This is especially important for those unable to  care for their own body fluids. *Red or pink eyes, pus like drainage from an eye, *Untreated impetigo, pediculosis (head lice), scabies, chicken pox, and similar diseases *If antibiotic therapy is needed, the student should remain home for the first 24-48 hours of therapy before returning. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR YOUR CHILD SHOULD THEY HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS LASTING MORE THAN 24 HOURS. STUDENTS SHOULD BE SYMPTOM FREE (WITHOUT FEVER OR PAIN MEDICATION) FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL.