Mid-Winter LOLHS Health Office Highlights

Along with the cold weather and mid-term exams, we are seeing students with cold symptoms, GI illness, and have had some diagnosed cases of the flu.

​As for any viral or bacterial illness we promote healthy hand hygiene and other preventative measures to reduce communicability of infections and diseases within the school community. These practices are reinforced in classes, in the health office, and through the coaches and athletic departments. We encourage families to have these conversations with their students at home as well.

​The following are guidelines that our school district abides by to promote wellness in the schools. Students should remain at home from school with the following symptoms of common illness or disease:

• Temperature of 100 degrees or greater. Students should be fever-free without use of a fever-reducing medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Students should remain at home until they have stopped vomiting for at least 24 hours and are able to tolerate fluids and sold foods.
• Sore throat that is accompanied by fatigue, body aches, and fever.
• A persistent/disruptive cough lasting for more than a few days or with fever.
• Live pediculosis (head lice) found in the hair.
• Eye discomfort with itching, redness, pain, and drainage.
• Skin rash suggestive of a communicable disease.

It is important for students or parents to communicate with the health office if they are going to be out with illness for more than two days. If they have seen their physician, be sure to bring a note to excuse them from school for missed days. Students should also communicate with their teachers so plans can be made for missed work to avoid falling behind in classes.
We encourage students to get their flu shots as a means of illness prevention.  There are many opportunities to receive them through their physician’s office, pharmacies, and flu clinics. It is not too late  to get a flu shot.
The following are some resources that students and parents may find helpful.

• http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
• http://kidshealth.org/
• https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Hand-Foot-and-Mouth-Disease.aspx

Please feel free to contact us in the high school health office Monday through Friday from 7:30-2:30P at 860 434-4444 X1004 at any time with questions or concerns. We can also be reached at beachyr@region18.org or mause@region18.org.
Sincerely,
Ellen Maus BSN   High School Nurse and Region 18 School Nurse Coordinator

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