Wellness Resources
Common Childhood Conditions
Pain:
Earache:
A child with an earache frequently requires a doctor’s visit, especially if accompanied by a fever.
Headache:
If the headache is so severe that the child will not be able to concentrate on schoolwork, please keep your child home. If the headache does not respond to acetaminophen or ibuprofen consult your child’s pediatrician.
Cold, Sore Throat, Cough:
A sore throat with a fever or swollen glands requires a doctor’s visit.
A child with cold symptoms and no temperature may come to school provided they feel well enough to learn. If a child has a very persistent cough, it may be best to stay home until symptoms subside. Please teach your child to blow/wipe their own nose, wash their hands, and cough into their elbow.
Cough:
Keep your child home if a cough keeps them up at night, appears to get worse as their activity level increases or if they also have other symptoms, such as a fever, shortness of breath, or wheezing. You may send your child to school if the cough is just from an old cold and they feel okay otherwise. If a child with a persistent cough is in school and develops a fever (see above) or the nurse hears a wheeze, a parent/guardian will be notified and encouraged to call the pediatrician for a sick visit.
Call the doctor if the cough leads to difficulty breathing or a fever develops. If your child’s cough is due to asthma, contact the school nurse if your child needs to use an inhaler/nebulizer during school.
Conjunctivitis:
Conjunctivitis, also called “pink eye” may be a bacterial or viral infection. Oftentimes, it may accompany a cold. The white portion of the eye may appear red and there may be a yellow discharge that dries on the eyes. If your child awakens with one or both eyes shut, please call the pediatrician for advice. Children are not necessarily excluded from school if they have conjunctivitis. However, if the drainage is profuse and the itchiness is uncomfortable, you will be notified to take your child home.
Fifth's Disease:
Fifth disease is a mild rash illness that occurs most commonly in children. The first stage of illness consists of headache, body ache, sore throat, low grade fever and chills. The second stage, lasting about a week, during which the person has no symptoms at all. In children, the third stage involves bright red rash on the cheeks, which gives a “slapped cheek” appearance. This may be followed by a “lacy” rash on the trunk and arms and legs. The rash may appear on and off for several weeks with changes in temperature, sunlight and emotional stress
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for Fifth disease. Healthcare providers may suggest treatment to relieve some symptoms. Students or staff with Fifth disease should continue to attend school, after the rash has been diagnosed by a MD and doctors note is provided.
Hand, Foot Mouth Disease(HFMD):
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common illness of infants and children. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise ("feeling sick"), and frequently a sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever begins, sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. The skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash does not itch, and it is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks.
Treatment and Prevention
No specific treatment is available for this infection. Symptomatic treatment is given to provide relief from fever, aches, or pain from the mouth ulcers. Preventive measures include frequent hand washing, especially after diaper changes, disinfection of contaminated surfaces by household cleaners and washing soiled articles of clothing. These measures may reduce the spread of infection, but they will not completely interrupt it.
Children may return to school when they are feeling well enough with a doctors note. There is no mandatory exclusion period as the virus is contagious before symptoms begin, other students and staff have already been exposed.