• Medications
• Infections
• Conjunctivitis
• Fifth Disease
• Impetigo
• Influenza
  

Children can develop bacterial and viral infections any time of year. Common symptoms include high fevers often lasting for several days, accompanied by headaches, pallor, sore throats and cold-like symptoms.  On average, children who have been out with flu-like symptoms have been sick for 2-4 days. Also common is the dreaded stomach virus. Typical symptoms include nausea and vomiting which last on average from 24-72 hours.  The children with the stomach virus may or may not have an accompanying fever.

We are concerned with the contagious nature of these illnesses and request that you take extra precautions before sending your child to school. The following list includes general parameters to keep your children home:

• Nausea or vomiting within the past 24 hours.
• Three or more loose stools within the past 24 hours.
• Temperature above 100 degrees within the past 24 hours.
• Persistent cough or runny nose.
• Fatigue/run down/general malaise.

It is also important for the children to be well rested upon returning to school to decrease their chances of relapse.  The best measure of prevention is to practice good hand washing and teach your children the same.  Encourage rest and hydration.  Don't forget to call when your child is out and send a note when your child returns.