School Illness Guidelines;School Illness Guidelines
These guidelines help determine whether a student should stay home or be sent home from school.
In most situations, any student with new, unexplained symptoms should not return to campus until symptoms are mild and improving or a non-infectious cause is confirmed. In some cases, healthcare provider documentation may be required.
COVID-19 Positive
- A student should stay home if they have symptoms until they are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
- Other COVID-19 symptoms should also be mild and improving before returning to school.
Symptoms and When to Stay Home
Fever:
- A student should stay home if their temperature is 100.4°F or higher, if they appear ill, or if they are unable to participate in school activities comfortably.
- They may return to school after 24 hours have passed since the fever resolved without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- It is recommended that the student be tested for COVID-19.
Congestion, Nasal Drainage, Cough, or Sore Throat:
- A student should stay home if they appear ill, have difficulty breathing, or have persistent cough or nasal drainage that cannot be easily managed.
- If a student has wheezing that has not been previously evaluated, they should stay home unless treatment is available.
- If symptoms are not improving, a COVID-19 test is recommended.
Headache, Fatigue, Muscle or Body Aches:
- A student should stay home if symptoms persist after rest, if they appear ill, or if they cannot participate in school activities.
- If the student has a recent head injury, they should stay home.
- If symptoms do not improve, a COVID-19 test is recommended.
Diarrhea or Vomiting:
- A student should stay home if they have had two or more episodes of diarrhea or vomiting within the past 24 hours.
- They should remain home for 48 hours after the last episode.
- If the student appears ill, is unable to participate in school activities, or wears diapers and their stool is not contained, they should stay home.
- If they have had a recent head injury, they should stay home.
- If symptoms do not improve, a COVID-19 test is recommended.
New Loss of Taste or Smell:
- If this symptom occurs, the student should be tested for COVID-19.
Eye Irritation or Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye):
- A student should stay home if their eyes are red with significant yellow or mucus drainage.
- If there is an outbreak in a classroom or if a healthcare provider recommends exclusion, the student should stay home.
- If the eyes do not have drainage, the student may stay at school.
Rash:
- A student should stay home if the rash is significant or if they have an open wound with active drainage.
- If the rash is not draining and can be covered by a small bandage, the student may stay at school.
- The student may return to school once the rash has resolved or with a note from a healthcare provider confirming it is non-infectious.
Stomach Ache:
- A student should stay home if they appear ill or cannot comfortably participate in school activities.
- Severe stomach pain lasting more than two hours requires staying home.
- If the stomach pain is associated with diarrhea, vomiting, bloody or black stools, or follows an injury, the student should stay home.