Common Childhood Illnesses
Cases of colds, viruses, and gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, stomach ache, and diarrhea) are common childhood illnesses. Bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep throat, sinus or ear infections and pneumonia are occasionally reported as well. This chart offers practical guidelines for recognizing the differences between some illnesses. General healthcare information should not be used as a substitute or in place of contacting your child’s healthcare provider.
Exclusion Periods for Common Communicable Diseases
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The following minimum school exclusion periods for personnel and students are based on requirements of the New York State Health Department, the New York State Education Department and the West Irondequoit School Physician. Colds: Until temperature has been normal for 24 hours. According to our medical consultants, a "temperature" of 100 or higher is a fever. Conjunctivitis (pink eye): Until start of medical treatment, or note from physician Coxsackie virus (hand, foot and mouth disease): Until temperature is normal for 24 hours and skin lesions are dry with no drainage as well as no mouth lesions and active drooling. Impetigo: Until medical treatment has begun Pediculosis: Until medical treatment has begun Pertussis (whooping cough): Until five days of antibiotic treatment Rubeola (measles): Until recovery / at least 7 days from first appearance of rash Scabies: Until medical treatment has begun Sore throat: Students/personnel should not come back to school after an illness until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Strep throat: Until the person has been on an antibiotic for 12 hours and has no fever Ringworm: Until medical treatment has begun Varicella (chicken pox): At least seven days after first appearance of rash or all lesions have dried
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Children who have been ill with a fever should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever has subsided. Letters reporting multiple illnesses in your child's classroom may at times be sent home. A general informational letter is sent home for illnesses that are reportable to the Monroe County Health Department.
Please feel free to contact your school Health Office with any questions.