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Student Health Services
Lisa Whitlock RN BSN NCSN
4781 Hereford Farm Road
Evans GA 30809
706.541.4090 |
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REYE'S SYNDROME
Fact Sheet for Reye's Syndrome
Reye's Syndrome is a very serious disease that some people develop as they are getting over a viral illness, such as the flu or chicken pox. Studies have shown that using aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to treat the symptoms of viral illnesses increases the chance of
developing Reye's Syndrome.
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Is Your Child Too Sick For School?
Early in the morning it is often difficult to make decisions about whether or not your child should go to school. With minor symptoms you often cannot tell whether it is going to get better or worse during the course of the day.
The main reasons for keeping your child home are:
1. If they are too sick to be comfortable at school
2. If they might spread a contagious disease to other children.
A child should stay at home who has a fever of 100.0 degrees or greater, vomiting more than once, diarrhea, a very frequent cough, persistent pain (ear, stomach, etc.) or wide-spread rash. Most of these problems need to be discussed with your child’s health care provider to determine if an office visit is needed. (If your child has frequent complaints of pain that cause school absence, school avoidance should be considered. Bring this to the attention of the child’s doctor before a great deal of school has been missed.)
On the other hand, children who don’t have a fever and only mild cough, runny nose, or other cold symptoms can be sent to school without any harm to themselves or others.
Whenever there is doubt in your mind about sending your child to school, consult your child’s doctor before doing so. A phone consultation may be all that is necessary, or our doctor may need to see the child in the office. Remember to always make sure that your child’s school knows how to reach you during the day and that there is a back-up plan and emergency contact persons on file if the school cannot reach you.
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Runny Nose:
A runny nose is the way many children respond to pollen, dust or a cold virus. Minor cold or allergy symptoms should not be a reason to miss school. Many healthy children have as many as 10-12 colds per year, especially in the early school years. |
Coughing:
A cough, especially if it is persistent during the day, can indicate a worsening of cold or allergy symptoms. It may be a sign of a secondary infection (sinusitis, pneumonia), that may require medical treatment. It may also indicate mild asthma. If your child’s cough is worse than you might expect with a common cold, you need to consult your physician. You should do so immediately if the child is not acting right, has a fever, or has any difficulty breathing.
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Diarrhea and Vomiting:
Diarrhea and vomiting make children very uncomfortable. If diarrhea or vomiting are persistent or are accompanied by fever, rash or general weakness, consult your doctor and keep the child out of school until the illness passes. |
Fever:
Fever (generally considered over 100.0 degrees) is an important symptom. Especially when a fever occurs along with sore throat, nausea, or a rash. Your child could have a contagious illness, which could be passed to classmates and teachers. While you can treat the fever and usually make the child feel better temporarily, the cause of the fever and the risk of passing it on to others are still there. Children with fever should stay home until the fiver has subsided. |
Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever:
These are two highly contagious conditions caused by a bacterial infection. They usually arrive with a sudden complaint of sore throat and fever and often stomachache and headache. With scarlet fever, a rash usually appears within 12-48 hours. A child with these symptoms should see the doctor for diagnosis and treatment, and should remain out of school until he is without fever and has been on antibiotics for 24 hours. |
Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis:
Pick eye can be caused by a virus, bacteria or allergy. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious. The eye will be reddened and a cloudy or yellow discharge is present. The eye may be sensitive to light. Consult with your child’s doctor to see if antibiotics are needed. The child should stay at home until symptoms subside or he has been on antibiotics at least 24 hours. |
Ear Infections:
Ear infections can cause great discomfort and often fever, but are not thought to be contagious to others. The child should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment and should stay at home if he has pain or fever. |
Flu:
Flu is highly contagious virus that usually occurs in the winter months. Symptoms include: body aches, high fever, chills, congestion, sore throat and in some children vomiting. The child should stay home until these symptoms subside. Consult your child’s doctor for treatment suggestions to make your child more comfortable. |
Impetigo:
Impetigo is a staph or strep infection that creates a red, oozing blister-like rash that appears anywhere on the body or face. It can be passed on to others by contact. Consult your child’s doctor for treatment and length of time the child should remain out of school, especially if the rash cannot be covered. The child should remain out of school if drainage is present. |
Chicken Pox:
Most school age children have received the Varicella vaccine which should prevent them from getting chicken pox. Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral illness. It causes fever and an itchy rash, which spreads quickly all over the body, changing from red bumps to blister-like lesions that scabs. If your child does get chicken pox they will need to stay home until all the bumps are dry and new bumps have not appeared for two days. Your child is contagious at least 2 days before the rash starts so you need to let the school and playmates know. Consult your doctor for symptomatic treatment. |
Mites :
Mites are tiny insects that burrow into the skin and cause severe itching. Both should be treated immediately with advice from your doctor. Children may return to school following treatment for mites. All of these illnesses can be easily spread both in school and in the family. Keep in mind that hand washing is the single most important thing you can do and teach your child to do this to help prevent the spread of infections. |
Head Lice
Head Lice Treatment Information
Lice are tiny parasites similar to ticks that thrive on the warm scalp and also cause itching.Children may return after treatment and there are no live infestations. Proof of treatment is required upon return to school. If the student has been sent home 2 times is a 30 calender day period, the student may not return to school with live nits. Nits that are located 1/4 inch from the scape are considered dead. Caution your child against sharing combs, brushers, hats or other clothing. |
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