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Cuyahoga County board of Health Division of Nursing
School Health Service Program Health Notes

At this time of the year there is an increase of cases of flu and strep infections.  To help prevent the spread of these and all communicable diseases, it is important that all parents/guardians adhere to the following guidelines:

• Promote hand washing in your family.  Many students do not wash their hands as recommended, and reinforcement at home is necessary. 
• Keep your child at home if any of the following should occur:

-Vomiting within the last 24 hours.

-Diarrhea within 24 hours.

-Temperature of 100 degrees or higher within the last 24 hours without anti-fever medication.

-Strep is suspected, but results of a throat culture have not been received.

-Positive throat culture for strep throat.  Student may return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.

-Any symptoms of acute illness such as persistent cough or runny nose with body aches.

-Presence of nits in hair.

• Your child should look and feel like him/herself for 24 to 48 hours before returning to school!  Why???

-To protect your child from exposure to more infection before he/she is able to build resistance.

-To protect other children and school staff from communicable diseases that your child may transmit.

Remember: Hand washing is the most effective means of preventing the spread of communicable disease diseases!  When washing hands, friction and lather hands for 30 seconds under hot or lukewarm water (this is the minimum time needed to eliminate bacteria).  This includes rubbing them for 10-15 seconds.