4020 - Communicable Diseases - Policies - Section 4000

4020 Communicable Diseases 4020

Whenever a student exhibits symptoms of contagion and is a hazard to himself or others he/she shall be excluded from the classroom and his/her parents or guardians shall be notified as soon as possible.

Suspected symptoms of contagion shall be verified by a health care provider.

The student who has had symptoms for contagion must be checked by the nurse before re-admission to school. Parents may be required to supply a health care provider's note before re-admission.

Chicken Pox	Keep child home until one week after rash appears

German Measles	Exclude from school four days after onset of rash. Immunization of susceptible students and adults (particularly women of child bearing age, who are not pregnant and will remain so for 2-3 months). In event of exposure, identify susceptible pregnant woman in first trimester and refer to a health care provider.

Whooping Cough	Exclude from school for five days after onset of therapy. Exclusion of non-immune children from school and public gatherings for fourteen days after last exposure. If cases are known in the community, children shall be observed throughout each school day to detect first sign of infection and immediately excluded.

Impetigo	Exclude from school until forty-eight hours from the time effective treatment with penicillin or other antibiotics has begun. Exclude from school until lesions are dry.

Mumps	Exclude from school for nine days from the onset of swelling; less if the swelling has completely subsided.

Ringworm	Refer to health care provider for treatment. While under treatment, minimize contact by excluding from physical education classes, swimming, and activities likely to lead to exposure of others.

Scabies	Exclude infected children from school twenty-four hours after they and their families have been treated adequately.

Head Lice	Though not recommended as routine practice, a student may be excluded from school by the School Principal should that student continue to demonstrate the presence of nits and/or head lice. Instruction will be given to the parent/guardian of each identified student and will include recommendations for treatment consistent with the NH Department of Health and Human Services.

Fifth Disease	A child is contagious before the rash appears. No advanced warning can be given to women of child bearing age. Fifth Disease may cause abortion in early pregnancy or problems for the fetus in the later stages of pregnancy for a small percentage of the population. Fifty percent of all women are immune. Every pregnant woman should be aware of her state of immunity and seek advice from her health care provider regarding exposure.

Strep Throat	Exclude from school. Exclusion may be terminated twenty-four hours after adequate treatment has been started.

Scarlet Fever	Same as Strep Throat.

HIV/AIDS	See Policy 4030

Conjunctivitis	Students with conjunctivitis will be excluded from school during the acute stage (when eyes are draining). The student must be on medication at least twenty-four hours before re-admission is considered. This determination will be made by the School Nurse or health care provider's written statement that the student is no longer contagious.

Ref: RSA 200:39

Adopted: 02/1975
Revised: 06/1995, 09/2001, 06/2008, 5/2012