Recommendations for sick children

Parenting presents many different challenges, especially for those of us who are new to the "club."  These challenges become even worse when we are dealing with a child's illness.  SPCNS is dedicated to serving the needs of children and our hope is to be able to provide you with support as you navigate this magnificent task of parenting.

The winter months present some added challenges, as we face many viruses and illnesses.  We must remain vigilant and do whatever we can to help prevent the spread of disease amongst our children.  Therefore, we wanted to share with you some general recommendations to guide you when your child is ill.

If your child presents any of the following illnesses or symptoms, please keep your child at home.

• Illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities
• Illness that results in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.
• Fever, lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing and/or other manifestations of possible severe illness.
• Persistent abdominal pain (continuous for more than two hours) or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever, dehydration, or other systemic signs or symptoms.
• Chicken Pox (Varicella): exclude until the sixth day after onset or rash or sooner if ALL lesions have dried and crusted.
• Diarrhea or stools that contain blood or mucus.
• E. Coli or Shigella infection: exclude until diarrhea resolves and two stool cultures are negative.
• Head lice: exclude until child is free of lice and nits.
• Hepatitis A virus infection: exclude until one week after onset of illness or jaundice (if symptoms are mild).
• Influenza or influenza-like illness: exclude as long as fever is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in an unmedicated state.  Additional exclusions may be necessary for documented novel strain or pandemic influenza based on state or federal guidance.
• Impetigo (Streptococcal infection of the skin): exclude until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated.
• Measles: exclude until four days after onset of rash.
• Mouth sores: exclude if associated with drooling, unless a physician has determined it is not a communicable disease.
• Mumps: exclude until five days after the onset of parotid gland (located around the ear) swelling.
• Pinkeye or purulent conjunctivitis (pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge, often with matted eyelids after sleep or eye pain or redness of the eyelids or skin surrounding the eyes): exclude until examined by a physician and approved for re-admission, with treatment.
• Rash (with fever or behavior change): exclude until a physician has determined it is not a communicable disease.
• Rubella: exclude until seven days after onset of rash.
• Scabies: exclude until after treatment has been completed.
• Strep Throat (streptococcal pharyngitis): exclude until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated.
• Tuberculosis: exclude until a physician states the child is not infectious.
• Vomiting: exclude if vomiting occurs two or more times in 24 hours, unless the vomiting is determined to be caused by a non-communicable condition and the child is not in danger of dehydration.
• Whooping Cough (Pertussis): exclude until five days of the appropriate antibiotic therapy has been completed.

Please note that we will follow these guidelines as well when determining if a child needs to go home from school.  If any of the above mentioned symptoms is noted, we will consult with our staff RN.  If it is determined that the child needs more care than can be provided by our staff or the child is showing symptoms associated with a possibly contagious illness we will contact a parent or caregiver to come and take the child home for care.

We hope that this information is helpful to you, and as usual, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.