Children are gearing up for back to school, and some have already returned. When children miss school, they miss valuable opportunities for learning, social development, and emotional development. Let’s plan for a healthy school year. This starts with sufficient sleep, nutritious meals, and adequate physical activity to promote wellbeing. Even following those steps, children can become ill with any of the numerous common childhood illness. With students, families, and school staff following proper precautions, this will minimize disruptions from illnesses in the ever-important educational environment.
For illnesses to spread, there needs to be a source, transmission, and a host. Transmission can be through contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g. desktops, doorknobs), sprays and splashes (e.g. from sneezing or coughing), inhalation from aerosolized particles, and vectors (e.g. mosquitos, ticks). The below measures aim to disrupt that transmission and protect the individuals from becoming a host.
Prevention:
The ultimate goal is to prevent infections. The CDC has consolidated their guidance which applies to respiratory viruses, stomach viruses, and bacterial illnesses. The following are CDC recommendations to prevent illnesses:
- Follow proper hand hygiene & respiratory etiquette
- Take steps for clean air (e.g. opening windows when appropriate)
- Clean, sanitize, and disinfect when appropriate
- Promote vaccinations (for staff and students)
Control:
Unfortunately, illnesses will be encountered. When faced with an illness in the school system, there are essential measures to be followed to control the transmission of the illness. The following are CDC recommendations are for controlling and preventing the spread of illnesses:
- Stay home when ill (staff and students)
- When applicable, school staff should use PPE when caring for ill children
- Follow proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Clean, sanitize, and disinfect as appropriate
The above updated guidance remains consistent with the respiratory virus guidance released by CDC earlier this year. Certain times of the year when there is risk of increased illness transmission, such as during respiratory season, schools may want to consider additional measures, including masking and cohorting. The CDC also has additional measures for certain conditions such as strep throat, norovirus, and measles.
Absenteeism has long been looked down upon but needs to be encouraged when individuals are ill. Schools should consider measures to promote staff and students staying home when ill. Flexible, paid, and non-punitive sick leave should be considered in accordance with laws and regulations. Instead of incentivizing coming to school or work while ill, schools should support and accommodate these individuals. Additionally, schools should cautiously consider when they require healthcare provider notes for children with absences due to illnesses. Many of the common illnesses can be managed at home and requiring a note can lead to an undue burden that often disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations and discourages staying home while ill.
By encouraging and role modeling these everyday actions recommended by the CDC, schools can help prevent illnesses.
Resources:
Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools | CDC
CDC Releases Guidance for Preventing Spread of Infections in Schools…
K-12 Infection Prevention Parent Fact Sheet | CDC
Episode 6: How Do Viruses Spread From Surfaces To People? | Project Firstline
Respiratory Virus Guidance | CDC
Project Firstline Reducing Exposure to Infection in K-12 Schools | ANA