Communicable Diseases

🦠How We Manage Illness to Keep Our School Healthy

We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment. Schools are common places for the spread of communicable (contagious) illnesses, so early identification and appropriate response are key to protecting students and staff.

🤒 Communicable Diseases Factsheets for Families

Some of the most frequently reported illnesses in elementary school settings include:

• Colds & Flu (Influenza)

  • Flu Guide for Parents

• Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

• COVID-19

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

• Gastrointestinal Illness (Vomiting/Diarrhea)

  • Norovirus

• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

• Croup

• Impetigo

• Ringworm

• Scabies

🏠 When to Keep Your Child Home & Return-to-School Guidelines

Please see page on When to Keep your Child Home from School due to Illness.

• Diagnosis of a communicable illness by a Physician should follow the healthcare provider's return-to-school instructions, especially if medication is prescribed or if symptoms persist. 

📣 Reporting Illnesses

If your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease, please notify the health office. This helps us monitor trends and prevent further spread.

All information is kept confidential in accordance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations.

💇  Head Lice

While not considered a communicable disease by public health agencies, head lice require prompt attention and proper treatment to prevent prolonged spread and discomfort.

• Head lice do not spread disease, but can cause itching and discomfort.

• Lice are most commonly spread through close, head-to-head contact—such as during sleepovers, playdates, or shared hair accessories.

• There is no evidence that mass screenings (school-wide or whole classrooms) help to control head lice infestation or re-infestation. Parents/guardians are encouraged to incorporate inspecting their child’s hair as part of their regular hygiene routine (BP 5141.33).  

• The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend schools sending "alert letters" as these can violate privacy laws and cause unnecessary public alarm.

• Treatment consists of over-the-counter or prescription medicated lotions or sprays. 

• Check out the CDPH Handout on Lice 

• 📄 The SDUSD Protocol on Head Lice:

• If lice are suspected, a private screening may be conducted by the health office.

• Students are not excluded from school the day head lice are found. The student may remain in school for the day, but should begin treatment before returning the next morning.

• If live lice are found, a phone call and written notice will be sent home to notify parents/guardians.

• ✅ Return-to-School Policy After Head Lice Treatment

  • Next-Day Check: After treatment, students must be assessed by the health office the following school day to confirm that no live lice are present.

  • Nits Present: If only nits (lice eggs) are found and no live lice are observed, the student may remain at school, but families should continue daily combing and treatment until the hair is clear.

  • Live Lice Present: If live lice are still found after treatment, the student will need to go home with a parent/guardian to continue treatment and may return to school once no live lice are present.

For more information on Head Lice, you may visit the SDUSD Toolkit Website.