Re-Admission to School Following a Communicable Disease

 

1. The certified school nurse will comply with the "Requisition of Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases" issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for the management of diseases in the school age population.

2. For the diseases listed below, re-admission of students to school will occur on the following basis:

Disease and Period of Exclusion

Chicken Pox: Until all vesicles are scabbed and absence of fever

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): 24 hours after medical treatment has begun

Impetigo (For large area of multiple site infection): 24 hours after medical treatment has begun; draining sores must be covered while in school

Ringworm: 24 hours after treatment has begun; no contact sports until lesions are gone

Scarlet Fever: At least 24 hours after treatment has begun and temperature has been normal for 24 hours

Strep Throat: At least 24 hours after treatment has begun and temperature has been normal for 24 hours

Scabies: 12 hours after proper medical treatment has begun

Pediculosis (Head Lice): Treat child with a medicated lice shampoo before returning to school. After first treatment, it is recommended that child remains home for one day to allow treatment to take effect before resuming attendance. The CDC does not recommend routine classroom screenings as head lice are not considered a public health hazard and do not spread disease.

Acute Gastroenteritis Virus: Children who are vomiting will be sent home and remain home until vomiting subsides. Acute (diarrhea, vomiting) episodes will be assessed individually.

Fever: Children with fevers greater than 100.4 will be sent home and remain home until fever free (less than 100.4). Children with a fever less than 100.4 during the course of the school day will be permitted to rest and return to class provided they have no other symptoms of infection.

Fever-free means below 100.4°F without the use of fever-reducing medications.