- Prosper ISD
- Guidelines for Childhood Illness
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Guidelines for Childhood Illness
Fever: According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, a student with temperature of 100.0 F (37.8 °C) or greater should be excluded from school until free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Vomiting & Diarrhea: Students who experience vomiting and/or diarrhea may be infectious, feel uncomfortable, and be unable to focus in the classroom. The decision to exclude/not exclude a student with diarrhea or vomiting is made at the discretion of the school nurse or administrator. When excluded, the student should not return to school until free of vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours without medication.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): If your child experiences painful, itchy (especially with yellow or green discharge or crusting of eyelashes) he/she may have pink eye. Children with pink eye will be excluded from school. A written note from their health care provider is necessary for readmission to school.
Rashes: accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, or general discomfort, stay home and describe these symptoms to your doctor. An unexplained rash may be the first symptom of contagious illnesses and needs to be followed up with your doctor. A note from your health care provider will be necessary for your child to return to school.
Impetigo and ringworm: According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there is no need for exclusion unless the infected area, blisters, and/or drainage cannot be contained and maintained in a clean dry bandage.
Pinworms: According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there is no need for exclusion.
Sniffles and Coughs: Doctors agree that you can go to work and school with the sniffles as long as you feel all right otherwise. Stay home if you have a heavy cough accompanied by a steady stream of mucus. Also, stay home if the cough is accompanied by rapid or labored breathing or fever. Prolonged coughing (several weeks) may warrant physician evaluation.
- According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, children that test positive for COVID-19 should be excluded from school until fever-free x 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Scabies: Children with this condition should be excluded until treated. Contact your school nurse for specific directions for care.
Wound Care: Children with draining wounds should be evaluated by a health care professional. All wounds must remain covered unless specific orders from a health care professional. Students with wounds should not share soap, towels, lotions, and other personal care items.
Readmission of the student will require one of the following:
- Certificate of the attending physician attesting to the student's recovery and non-infectiousness.
- Permit issued by the local health authority.
- A period of time corresponding to duration of the communicability of the disease, as established by the commissioner of health.
*If your child is seen by a healthcare provider for his/her illness, please request that your child's doctor note indicate the specific dates your child will need to stay home from school. Doctor notes that do not specify a return date will only excuse the absence for the day of the visit. For example, a doctor's note that says, "may return to school when fever free x24 hours", is not specific, and will only be used to support the absence for the day of the doctor visit. A doctor's note that reads, "may return to school in two days, or sooner if symptoms subside and fever free x 24 hours", is specific, and extends the doctor's excuse note by an additional two days if the student needs it.
**Per Prosper ISD Student Handbooks, upon returning to school, a student who is absent for more than 3 consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the absence. Otherwise, the absence may be considered unexcused and in violation of compulsory attendance laws.
