Health Topics and Tips

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Health Topics and Tips

“When Your Child is Sick”

Many parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home from school because of illness. The following information is intended to help with this decision.

General recommended practice:

• If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student should be fever free(without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school

• If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode

• If a student has any rash that may be disease-related or you do not know the cause, check with your family physician before sending the student to school

• If you have any questions regarding the above information please call the school clinic or your family physician

“Tips for Keeping Healthy”

Hand washing is the single most effective key to preventing the spread of illness. It is important to wash your hands often and correctly. Use warm water and soap and scrub all surfaces of the hand including between the fingers and under nails for at least 20 seconds. This is about the time it takes to recite the alphabet or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Rinse hands well and dry with a paper towel. Turn the faucet off with the towel after drying hands.

Stop the spread of germs also by “covering your cough”. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough or sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Always wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

Avoid close contact with people that are sick, and stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick.

Other good habits, such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water, and eating good food, will help you stay healthy all through the year.

Breakfast is an important part of a student’s school day. Studies have shown that students who eat breakfast:

• have improved attention spans and productivity

• have higher test scores and make fewer mistakes

• have increased energy and improved behavior

• make fewer visits to the clinic