Illness and Communicable Disease A child should not come to school (and will be sent home from school) if they have or have had :
Minneapolis Public Schools follow the guidelines developed by the epidemiologists at Hennepin County Community Health Department when deciding if a student should be sent home or kept home from school. Please notify the school if your child has a contagious condition like chicken pox, strep throat or head lice. More information is is contained in the flyer, Am I Well Enough to Go to School, or under the disease headings below.
BED BUGS Bed bugs are a parasitic insect and are not transmitted from person to person. They do not spread disease, but the bites can cause the skin to become irritated and inflamed. Scratching may cause the bites to become infected. Rows of three or more bites are a characteristic sign of bed bugs, which generally feed at night. Your healthcare provider may recommend an antihistamine or corticosteroid to reduce allergic reaction and skin inflammation. Bed bugs are a pest control issue and can be spread from place to place by infested luggage, furniture, or other items. If bed bugs are confirmed in your home, you should consult a licensed pest control operator. For more information, click on the bed bugs link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
CHICKEN POX Students with chicken pox should not come to school until all of their spots have crusted over. If your child does have chicken pox, please let the school health office know so they can notify classmates. Students in kindergarten and 7th grade must show that they have had 2 doses of vaccine for chicken pox (varicella) or have had the disease, or are exempt. More information is available when you click on the chickenpox link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE) Not all children are sent home from school because their eyes appear red. Red eyes can be the result of a common cold, allergies, irritants and viral or bacterial infection. Whether or not they are sent home depends on the cause of the redness, the age of the child, if they have a fever or other symptoms and other factors. More information is available when you click on the conjunctivitis link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
COMMON COLD Children with severe cold symptoms (frequent coughing, runny nose) have a hard time concentrating in school. They can spread the cold to other students and staff and should probably stay home. Remember that washing your hands a lot and covering your cough or sneeze is the best way to stop the spread of common germs.
DIARRHEA (INFECTIOUS) Diarrhea is often a symptom of infection cuased by germs such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses. A child with infectious diarrhea may have stools that are loose and runny compared to normal and may contain blood and/or mucus in the stool. Other symptoms may include a stomach ache, vomiting, and fever. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially in small children. Good handwashing is key in preventing the spread of infectious diarrhea. Children who are not feeling well and/or needing to use the bathroom frequently should be kept home. For more information click on the diarrhea link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
FEVER If a child's temperature has been 100 degrees (orally) or more, they should stay home until they have been fever free without medication for 24 hours.
FIFTH DISEASE Fifth disease is a rash illness caused by a virus (Parvovirus). Early symptoms are generally mild and may include a sore throat or low-grade fever. When the rash develops, it often appears on the cheeks (a slapped cheek look) and moves to the arms, upper body, buttocks, and legs. The rash on the body looks very fine, lacy, and pink and is more pronounced with exposure to heat or sunlight. Parvovirus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes or when people touch objects or surfaces that contain the virus and then touch their mouth, eyes or nose. People are contagious before the beginning of the rash, so children are not excluded from school if other rash-causing illnesses are ruled out and if there is no fever. For more information click on the fifth disease link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
HEAD LICE Occasionally during the school year, children become infested with head lice. Lice are communicable but do not spread disease. Anyone can get headlice, but they are often commonly spread by younger children who have more head to head contact. Sleep overs are another common setting in which head lice can be spread. Check your child's head frequently throughout the year. The most important part of getting rid of head lice is to make sure all of the nits or eggs are removed before they have a chance to hatch. For more information click on the head lice link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
IMPETIGO Impetigo is a contagious skin infection often occurring on the nose, arms, legs, or around the mouth. Sores produce a thick golden-yellow discharge that dries, crusts, and sticks to the skin. This infection is common in young children and is easily spread from person to person by touching the fluid from the sores. For more information click on the impetigo link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
INFLUENZA MPS will follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for exclusion of students and staff with symptoms of a cough or sore throat and a fever of 100 degrees or greater. A Parent Checklist for Symptoms is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. A Parent Fact Sheet on Influenza gives updated information on influenza and prevention measures. More information and resources are available on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
RINGWORM Ringworm is a fungal infection of the body, scalp, hair, or feet. Ringworm on the body appears as flat, spreading ring-shaped areas on the skin. The edge of these may be dry and scaly or moist and crusted. As the ringworm spreads outward, the center often becomes clear. Treatment involves obtaining a fungal ointment from your healthcare provider. Lesions should also be covered whenever possible when the child is at school. For more information click on the ringworm link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
SCABIES Scabies is an infestation of the skin caused by a tiny, insect-like animal called a mite. The female mite burrows under the skin to lay her eggs. Symptoms include intense itching (especially at night) and a rash of pink bumps or tiny blisters most commonly seen between the fingers, on the hands, knees, elbows, armpits and around the waist. Scabies is spread by direct skin contact and by sharing bedding, towels, or clothing that was used by a person with untreated scabies. If you suspect scabies, you should call your healthcare provider. Treatment is usually a prescription lotion or cream. Students may return to school 24 hours after being treated. For more information click on the scabies link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
STREP INFECTIONS Streptococcal sore throat (strep throat) and scarlet fever (a strep infection with a rash) are common infections in young children. Symptoms of strep throat often include a fever, red sore throat, and swollen glands. Headache, nausea, and stomach pain may also be more common in children. A throat culture for strep is the only way to confirm and distinguish from a viral sore throat. If your child has been cultured, please keep him/her home until you know the results of the culture, which may be 24 hours. If your child is positive for strep, they must be on antibiotics for 24 hours and fever free before they can return to school. For more information click on the strep infections link. Information is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.