The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and MA Department of Public Health (DPH) have updated recommnedations and guidance for respiratory illness, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Ludlow Public Schools now follows the general population guidance provided in these updates (March 2024).
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified the following as being particular problems among school population. Please contact the school nurse if your child is ill with one of these diseases.
Chicken Pox: all lesions must be dried
Conjunctivitis (pink eye): antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school
Fever: 100.0 F or 37.8 C (CDC definition) or higher; must be fever free for 24 hours without any doses of fever-reducing medication
Fifths Disease: fever free for 24 hours without any doses of fever-reducing medication
Impetigo: a common and highly contagious skin infection; usually appears as reddish sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth and on the hands and feet. Over about a week, the sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts. Students can return with a note from MD once the rash is not contagious.
Influenza-Like-Illness: fever free for 24 hours without any doses of fever-reducing medication
Pediculosis (head lice): Recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC is that minimal school be missed due to lice. Students with lice can finish the school day, receive treatment from a parent after school, and return the next day. Lice is not a health hazard or an indication of poor hygiene.
Streptococcal Infections (strep throat): must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school
Scabies: prescription medication for 24 hours before returning to school
Vomiting and Diarrhea: symptom-free of both for 24 hours before returning to school
*This list is not all-inclusive. Please contact the school nurse if you have any questions.
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