Back to School Health Guidelines

It won't be long before children throughout Lake County say good-bye to summer vacation and head back to school. The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is reminding parents to help prevent the spread of illness in classrooms this fall by following these guidelines.

· Make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations and sports physicals, and receive an annual flu shot.

· Make sure your children have plenty of rest and a nutritious diet to help them fight germs.

· Make sure your children are dressed properly if they are involved in outdoor activities at recess or gym.

· Notify the school if your child has been diagnosed with an infectious condition such as strep throat, chickenpox, scarlet fever, or pertussis.

· Teach your children the proper way to wash their hands. Make sure they use soap and water, rub their hands for at least 20 seconds, and thoroughly rinse and dry their hands.

· Teach children the importance of covering their coughs and sneezes.

· Keep your child home if he/she is ill. One sick child can spread germs to all his/her classmates. Here are guidelines to help you determine if your child should stay home. Keep your child home if he/she has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, has nausea and/or vomiting, has a sore throat with fever, has a persistent cough (dry or productive), has diarrhea (three or more episodes in 24 hours), has a rash, or has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school such as excessive tiredness or lack of appetite, headaches, body aches, earache, or sore throat.

· If your child has recently been ill, please be aware of the following guidelines for returning your child to school, or athletic or social activity: They should feel fit for at least 24 hours, be free of fever for at least 24 hours without medication, and be free of vomiting and or diarrhea for at least 24 hours. If they had strep throat, they must be on the appropriate antibiotic for at least 24 hours. Conjunctivitis and rash illness should be assessed by a doctor. Keep your child home for at least five days after the appearance of a chickenpox rash or until all blisters have scabbed over.

For more information on disease prevention, please visit: www.LakeCountyIL.gov or call the Health Department's Communicable Disease program at: 847-377-8130.