Health Office Update: Winter Illness

Dear Families,

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeing an uptick in respiratory illnesses (specifically influenza). To prevent the spread of these illnesses, please follow the guidelines below about when to keep your child home. Keep in mind that:

  • A child who has a fever must remain at home until "fever free" for a minimum of 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

  • Colds are most contagious during the first 48 hours.

  • Often, when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether to bring them to school.

  • Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school.

  • Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.

  • If your child is exposed or tests positive for Covid-19, please contact the nurse to review current CDC guidelines.

Keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:

  • Fever (greater than 100.4 degrees and your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100.4 degrees, for a minimum of 24 hours)

  • Vomiting (even once, must be vomit free for 24-hours before returning)

  • Diarrhea

  • Chills

  • General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness, or muscle aches

  • Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

Consider keeping your child at home for extra rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

  • Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough

  • Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

  • Headache

  • Stomachache

To help prevent the flu and other colds, practice good hygiene habits with your children:

  • Wear a high quality, well-fitting mask if showing any cold/flu symptoms

  • Wash hands frequently

  • Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

  • Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Best,

Tara Barry
School Nurse
tbarry@gus.org

Fall Sickness Guidelines

Consider keeping your child at home for extra rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

  • Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough

  • Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

  • Headache 

  • Stomach ache

Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms: 

  • Fever (greater than 100.4 degrees and your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100.4 degrees, for a minimum of 24 hours) 

  • Vomiting (even once, must be vomit free for 24 hours before returning)

  • Diarrhea 

  • Chills

  • General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches 

  • Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

To help prevent the flu and other colds, practice good hygiene habits with your children: 

  • Wash hands frequently

  • Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth 

  • Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing using your elbow

  • When using a tissue, throw it away and then wash your hands with soap & water immediately after

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the single most important action you can take to stop the spread of germs.

How to properly clean your hands using hand sanitizer

  • Pump about a coin-sized amount into your palm—the amount that should cover all of the surfaces of your hands, including fingers

  • Rub all surfaces together, not forgetting the fingers, thumbs & nails. Rub until sanitizer is completely dry

  • The antimicrobial properties of the hand sanitizer will not have any effect on fighting germs, if it is not allowed to dry

How to properly clean your hands using soap & water

  • Get a paper towel ready—so that you can use it after drying your hands--to turn off the faucet (that might contain germs)

  • Wet your hands with warm water.

  • Pump enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands, fingers, thumbs, nails, and between your fingers.

  • Covering all surfaces, scrub your hands together for 20 seconds. Singing the “happy birthday” song two times is usually equal to about 20 seconds ☺

  • Rinse your hands and pat them dry with a paper towel. Turn the faucet off with a paper towel as well.

Lower School, Upper School, Health OfficeJulia Bugeau-Heartt