HEALTH ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES WHEN STUDENTS ARE ILL

For ultimate success in school, our administrators feel students need to be at school and in the classroom. There are times, however, a student must stay home! A child that is sick cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child opportunity to rest and recover. Please use the following guidelines when deciding if your child should attend school:

Fever

Although an elevated temperature is not in itself an illness, it is a good indicator the body is fighting an illness or infection. Combined with other symptoms such as sore throat, nausea, or rash, your child may have a contagious illness. Students with a temperature 100o F or greater should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever suppressing medication (e.g. Tylenol, Motrin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen).

Vomiting or Diarrhea more than once in 24 hours

Many viruses and bacteria cause disease that involve vomiting and diarrhea.

Students should be free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours without the use of medication.

Frequent Cough

Staying home or seeking medical attention may be necessary when a student has a cough that continues or worsens. Coughing can be a symptom of a serious communicable disease, asthma, or a secondary infection.

Constant Pain (headache, ear, stomach, etc.)

Children that are uncomfortable cannot concentrate in school. Pain can often be the body's response to something more serious that needs medical treatment. Your child should stay home until pain has subsided.

A rash that has spread or is accompanied by a fever

Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a healthcare provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child's return to school.

Pinkeye, or Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or virus can be passed to others. The white part of your child's eye may be red or you may see a cloudy or yellow eye discharge. Your child may return to school when symptom free or with a healthcare provider's note authorizing admittance.

Strep and Scarlet Fever

These bacterial infections can be passed to others. Signs include sudden sore throat and fever, stomachache and headache. With scarlet fever, a rash usually shows up within 12 to 48 hours. Call your healthcare provider for any of these signs. Your child should stay home until he/she does not have a fever and has been taking antibiotics for 24 hours.

Flu

The flu is a virus and is easily passed to others. The main symptoms of the flu is fever and can include body aches, chills, congestion, sore throat, or vomiting. Your child should stay home until fever has been gone for 24 hours without the aid of medication.

Impetigo

This strep or staph infection can cause red blisters that can be anywhere on the body or face. Pus drains from the blisters and a honey-colored crust may appear on the area. It can be passed to others through direct contact. Students should seek medical attention and may attend school only if blisters and drainage can be contained and maintained in a clean dry bandage.

Glasscock County Independent School District follows the recommendations set forth by the Texas Department of State Health Services. In some cases, the judgement of the professional school nurse will be needed in determining the readmission of a student.