Nursemaid’s Elbow Is a Partial Dislocation

Nursemaid’s elbow is a partial dislocation of a ligament in the elbow called the radius. A dislocation happens when the ligament slips out of its normal position in the elbow. Nursemaid’s elbow is also called radial head dislocation and annular ligament displacement.

Nursemaid’s elbow is a partial dislocation of a ligament in the elbow called the radius. A dislocation happens when the ligament slips out of its normal position in the elbow. Nursemaid’s elbow is also called radial head dislocation and annular ligament displacement.

Nursemaid’s elbow is a common condition in preschool children, generally affecting children under 5 years old. Children can get nursemaid’s elbow when:

• Pulled up too hard by their hand or wrist. Like when lifting a child up by one hand or pulling over something
• Trying to prevent a fall with their arm
• Playing aggressively with friends/siblings
• Helped up slide or play structure by friends/siblings
• Rolling over in a different or uncomfortable way
• Swung by their arms
• Hanging from monkey bars or other overhead apparatus

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What is diaper rash?

Diaper rash is any rash that develops within the diaper area. Children with a mild case of diaper rash experience red skin. In more severe cases, there may be painful open sores. The red skin and sores are normally found around the groin and inside the folds of the upper thighs and buttocks. Most babies experience diaper rash, and for the most part the rash is not serious.

What are some of the causes of diaper rash?

• Too much moisture
• Chafing or rubbing
• Urine, stools or both touch the skin for long periods of time
• Yeast infection
• Bacterial infection
• Allergic reaction to diaper material

When skin stays wet too long, it starts to break down. When the skin is rubbed, it also damages more easily. Moisture from a soiled diaper can harm a baby’s skin and make it more prone to chafing. When this happens, a diaper rash may develop.

Diaper rash occurs more often when:

• Children get older
• Children are not kept clean and dry
• Babies have frequent stools
• Babies begin to eat solid foods
• Children are taking antibiotics

How to avoid & treat diaper rash

• Do not use products that contain alcohol or fragrances since these can irritate skin
• Try to expose the skin to air whenever possible
• Change the diaper frequently to ensure the skin is clean and dry
• Give an oatmeal bath or soak to help soothe the skin and ease your child’s discomfort
• Instead of using wipes, try use a small squeeze water bottle with warm water to clean the bottom and pat dry with a soft, clean disposable towel
• Apply diaper rash creams like: Butt Paste, Balmex, Desitin, A+D Ointment, Aquaphor…

If your child’s skin does not improve within two to three days she may have a yeast rash and should be seen by your pediatrician.

Over-the-counter treatment creams

• Desitin
• Balmex
• A+D
• Triple Paste
• Lotrimin
• Zinc oxide based products

According to our Illness Policy, children with diaper rashes can continue to come to school as scheduled and will we assist with the necessary treatment.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Lice, or Pediculus humanus capitis, is a parasitic insect that can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes of people. Head lice feed on human blood several time a day and live close to the human scalp. Head lice are not known to spread disease.

Getting head lice has absolutely nothing to do with personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school.  Anyone can get it, including you. Lice spread through head to head contact with an infested person and can only live/survive on humans.

If your child or you have lice it most likely came from a clean child just like yours who happened to be infested by another child. There is no one to blame or shame. No one did anything wrong.

How can I find out who gave my child head lice?

LiceHappens.com says: Parents should resist the urge to assign blame, as it is unproductive, and spreads stigma rather than knowledge. Instead of accusing other parents or school administrators of not doing enough to stop the spread of head lice, parents are better served by screening and treating their families, and informing other parents and school administrators that a problem exists.

How did my child get head lice?

Head-to-head contact with an already infested person is the most common way to get head lice. Head-to-head contact is common during play at school, at home, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground indoors and out, slumber parties, museums, etc). According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, or towels) used by an infested person is uncommon. It is so uncommon that even The Harvard University School of Public Health entomology lab could not successfully get lice to spread via hats and scarves in a controlled scientific study.

Is my child’s school or my home infested?

No. It is not possible for any place to be infested. Infestation occurs on humans only. Lice cannot survive off of humans.

Who is at risk for getting head lice?

According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) infestation with head lice is most common among pre-school children attending child care, elementary school children, and the household members of infested children. 6-12 million US children 3-11 years old get lice every year.

What does lice look like & how is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of head lice infestation is best made by finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp or hair of a person.

Because adult and nymph lice are very small, move quickly, and avoid light, they may be difficult to find. Use of a fine-toothed louse comb may facilitate identification of live lice.

If crawling lice are not seen, finding nits attached firmly within ¼ inch of the base of hair shafts suggests, but does not confirm, the person is infested. Nits frequently are seen on hair behind the ears and near the back of the neck. Nits that are attached more than ¼ inch from the base of the hair shaft are almost always non-viable (hatched or dead). Head lice and nits can be visible with the naked eye, although use of a magnifying lens may be necessary to find crawling lice or to identify a developing nymph inside a viable nit. Nits are often confused with other particles found in hair such as dandruff, hair spray droplets, and dirt particles.

If no nymphs or adults are seen, and the only nits found are more than ¼ inch from the scalp, then the infestation is probably old and no longer active — and does not need to be treated.

All Halsey Schools teachers are trained in how to detect lice.

Treatment General Guidelines

Treatment for head lice is recommended for persons diagnosed with an active infestation. All household members and other close contacts should be checked; those persons with evidence of an active infestation should be treated.

1. Contact your pediatrician, pharmacists, or local lice treatment company. We recommend using prescription lice shampoo & comb as directed – Usually; apply once, rinse then comb out hair the following morning. Then repeat again in one or two weeks. Be sure to follow the actual directions from the treatment you choose and contact your physician if necessary. (Over the counter treatments do not work as well as prescriptions.)
2. Other household members should be checked and treated if needed.
3. Items such as hats, grooming aids, and towels that come in contact with the hair of an infested person should not be shared and can be disinfected  by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5-10 minutes.
4. Household & classroom fumigation, sprays or thorough cleanings are not necessary because head lice can only survive for less than a day once off the human body and eggs die at room temperature. The HHSA says:
   • Adult lice will die within two days without a blood meal.  In a classroom or home where head lice are found; actions should be taken if possible to reduce head-to-head contact (Frankowski, 2010). Always keep each child’s hat and other clothing on separate hooks and hang each child’s coat on the back of their chair.  Pillows and other classroom/home items may have nits or lice on them but are unlikely sources of infestation. These items can be put in a dryer and run on hot for 20 minutes, vacuumed, or placed in sealed plastic bags for two weeks to kill hatching lice (nits take six to nine days to hatch and are unlikely to hatch away from the scalp). Vacuuming classrooms/homes once a day until no children have lice can decrease the remote possibility of lice transmission from the environment.

Prevent reinfestation

Encourage/Teach your children to:

• Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp).
• Not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes.
• Not share combs, brushes, or towels.
• Not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person.

According to our, Illness Policy if your child has lice he/she will be sent home immediately to receive treatment at home and can return the next day as long as there are no live lice present.  We recommend seeking advice from your pharmacists and pediatrician and reading this. Some over the counter methods no longer work.  All children will be checked when they return and sent back home if the treatment needs to be reapplied. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

Sources:

• http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/2012HeadLiceEng.pdf
• http://www.licehappens.com
• http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/2012SchoolGuidanceonHeadLice.pdf
• http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html

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Impetigo is caused by streptococcus (strep) or staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. The skin normally has many types of bacteria on it, but intact skin is an effective barrier that keeps bacteria from entering and growing in the body. When there is a break in the skin, bacteria can enter the body and grow there, causing inflammation and infection.

Impetigo causes painless, fluid-filled blisters — usually on the trunk, arms and legs. The skin around the blister is usually red and itchy but not sore. The blisters, which break and scab over with a yellow-colored crust, may be large or small.  Bullous Impetigo is a type type of Impetigo that primarily affects infants and children younger than 2 years and may last longer than sores from other types of Impetigo.

Children are highly contagious 3 days before any signs of infection occur and continue to be contagious 3-5 days after blisters  & scabs appear. Once blisters  & scabs are gone children are no longer contagious. Children with Impetigo need to be treated by a doctor with either an antibiotic ointment or an oral antibiotic. Infected children must stay away from other children until the blisters are completely gone and it is no longer contagious.

According to our, Illness Policy if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until blisters & scabs are completely gone. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

It is a non-serious viral infection causing sores in the mouth and blisters on hands & feet. It usually appears in the Spring & Fall. It is often difficult to diagnose. It may appear to be chicken pox, insect bits, dermatitis etc. If you suspect your child shows the symptoms, be sure to have your doctor check for Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease.

It is similar to getting a rash or a cold. So there is absolutely nothing to be alarmed about. And just like a cold the infection lasts 3- 7 days and disappears on its own. One does not become immune to the infection and therefore can become infected again.

Children are highly contagious 3 days before any signs of infection occur and continue to be contagious 2-3 days after blisters appear. Once blisters  & subsequent scabs are gone children are no longer contagious.

Children with Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease do NOT need any treatment other than to rest and let the virus run its coarse.

Prevention of Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

People infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease can spread it to others when they cough or sneeze. You can also get hand, foot, and mouth disease if you come into contact with an infected person’s blister fluid or feces (poop). Lower your risk of being infected by doing the following:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water
2. Disinfect dirty surfaces and soiled items
3. Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people

At Halsey School we always  keep everything clean and sanitary and check all children on arrival and throughout the day and make sure all contagious children stay home.

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Stay At Home Policy

According to our Illness Policy if a child shows symptoms of either of these illnesses, he/she will need care at home away from other children until blisters & subsequent scabs are completely gone. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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A fever is not a disease. It is a symptom that can accompany many childhood illnesses, especially infections. A fever is not the only sign of a serious illness. While some children are fine with a temperature of 104, others can be deathly ill with a temperature of 101 or even without a fever or a low temperature. You should call your pediatrician if your child has any fever or acts different in any way that concerns you.

Diarrhea is usually caused by a stomach virus, especially if it is also associated with vomiting and low grade fever. It is important to mention any recent travel to your doctor when your child has diarrhea.

Vomiting, Acute gastroenteritis, is a very common problem in infants and children and is usually caused by a stomach virus, such as the rotavirus. Symptoms include a fever, stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea. Although the vomiting typically lasts only two to three days, the diarrhea can last for one to two weeks before it finally resolves. There is no cure or medicine to treat gastroenteritis, but there are many things that can be done to help your child through this illness. Most uncomplicated cases go away on their own without treatment, except extra fluids to prevent dehydration.

The main problem from having diarrhea and vomiting is that it can lead your child to getting dehydrated. The first sign of dehydration is that your child will urinate less frequently. Other signs include a dry mouth, not having tears when crying, sunken eyes, and decreased activity or increased irritability.

According to our Illness Policy,  if your child shows these symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children for at least 24 hours until ALL symptoms have stopped. (No vomiting. No diarrhea. No fever.) It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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A runny nose with green or yellow discharge is a sign of a viral infection or a bacterial/sinus infection. Your child may just have a cold or a more serious sinus infection requiring antibiotics.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows these symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children for at least 24 hours after receiving doctor prescribed medication or after receiving a return authorization from a doctor indicating the child is not contagious. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a red, itchy rash on the skin. The chickenpox rash usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.

The rash begins as multiple small, red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. They develop into thin-walled blisters filled with clear fluid, which then becomes cloudy. The blister wall breaks, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs. One of the most characteristic features of the chickenpox rash is that all stages of the lesions can be present at the same time.

Some children have a fever, abdominal pain, or a vague sick feeling a day or 2 before the rash appears. These symptoms may last for a few days, and fever stays in the range of 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 to 38.8 degrees Celsius), although it may occasionally be higher. Younger children often have milder symptoms and fewer blisters than older children or adults.

Thanks to the vaccine this viral infection is rare now.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until blisters have scabbed over. This usually takes a minimum of 6 days to two weeks. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye, Pink Eye)   is the most common eye problem children can have. It can cause redness, itching, inflammation or swelling, and a clear or white, yellow, or greenish gooey liquid to collect in the eyes. It usually doesn’t hurt, but itching can be annoying. Sometimes it feels like you have an eyelash or a speck of sand in your eye and can’t get it out. It lasts a short time, usually about a week or less, and then goes away by itself or after treatment.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until doctor prescribed medication has been administered for 24 hours.  It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Strep Throat is an easily treatable throat infection caused by a group A streptococci bacteria. It is most common in children over three years old and begins with a fever, a red, swollen throat and tonsils that can have a white coating of pus, swollen glands, decreased appetite and energy level.

Cases are most common during the winter months when people are crowded together indoors.

Signs and Symptoms – Pharyngitis, a painful inflammation of the throat (pharynx). Swallowing may become so painful that the child has difficulty eating. A child with strep pharyngitis often has a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius), with chills, body aches and loss of appetite. There also may be abdominal symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The tonsils and the back of the throat may look red, swollen, and dotted with whitish or yellowish specks of pus. There may be swollen glands in the neck and at the angles of the jaw. Strangely, in spite of all the throat pain, hoarseness and loss of voice are not common. In infants, strep throat infections – tend to cause symptoms that seem less limited to the throat. Infants may have a runny nose, crusting and sores around the nostrils and a low fever. They may also begin to feed poorly.

This infection is easily treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin. Your child will no longer be contagious after being on an antibiotic for twenty four hours. (It is important to take a complete course of antibiotics to prevent your child from getting rheumatic fever.)

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until on antibiotics for 24 hours. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

Group A streptococci may also cause sinusitis, ear infections,sinusitis, ear infections, pneumoniapneumonia, scarlet fever and skin infections (impetigo).

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Roseola is a highly contagious virus that many infants under three years old can catch, but is most common in infants under age one. Roseola is generally a non-eventful childhood illness. Once it has run its course, it usually goes away without any further complications.

The first symptom you will notice in your child is an unexplained very high fever. The fever can be as high as 104 to 106 degrees, which is very distressing. The fever can last from one to five days and then disappear. Within twenty four hours later a rash will appear on the neck, upper arms and the trunk, and then spread to the face and legs. Your baby may also get diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

You will notice swollen lymph glands under the baby’s neck. You may notice the symptoms of the common cold such as runny nose, loss of appetite, irritability, and sore throat. When the rash subsides, all the other symptoms will leave also. The total duration of all symptoms is usually 7 to ten days. What makes the spread of this infection hard to control is the fact that a child can be infectious with it for 10 days prior to getting a fever and for five days after the fever is gone.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until a doctor diagnoses the rash and provides a return authorization. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Croup is an infection caused by a virus that causes the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box) to swell. It is usually part of a cold. Croup causes a fever, hoarseness and a barking, hacking cough. It also may cause a crowing noise (called stridor) when the child breathes in through the narrowed windpipe. Croup usually lasts 5 to 6 days. Symptoms may be worse at night. Croup symptoms most commonly occur in children 1 to 3 years old.

Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest and plenty to drink. When your child has a croupy cough, it is very important to increase the amount of liquids that your child drinks. Cough medicines are generally not recommended. If your physician recommends, you may give your child acetaminophen (brand names: Children’s Tylenol, Infants’ Tylenol) for his or her chest discomfort or discomfort due to fever. Doctors may also recommend: 1) turning on hot water to breathe in the steam. 2) Going outside to breathe cold moist air. 3) Standing with your child in front of the open freezer, to breathe in the cool air.

Like all viruses the best way to avoid croup is to wash hands regularly and stay away from others who have it.

Children with croup are considered contagious for three days after the illness begins or until the fever is gone  if fever continues after 3 days.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until a doctor provides a return authorization. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Influenza, commonly called the flu, is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Signs of the flu include sudden onset of headache, chills, and feeling generally miserable. Respiratory symptoms like nasal congestion, cough and sore throat appear, and the flu sufferer often experiences extreme fatigue and muscle aches in the back and legs. Fever between 100 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit is typical in adults, and is often even higher in children.

Influenza rarely causes stomach upset; however, young children may have nausea and vomiting during the most severe phase of the flu. What is popularly called “stomach flu” is usually another malady: gastroenteritis. Bacteria, toxins, or viruses other than influenza are the usual causes of gastroenteritis. Other illnesses like strep throat, measles, and chickenpox sometimes have flu-like symptoms. It’s important to see a doctor if symptoms persist, become severe or localized in the throat, stomach or lungs, or if other symptoms such as skin rash, vomiting or behavioral changes occur.

In addition to getting vaccinated, the single most important step you can take to help prevent your children from getting the flu is to wash their hands.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children for at least 24 hours until ALL symptoms have stopped. (No vomiting. No diarrhea. No fever. No Chills. No Body Aches. No Upset Stomach) It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. A yeast called Candida causes thrush because babies’ immune systems are not yet strong enough to control the growth of the yeast.

The most common symptoms of thrush are white patches that stick to the inside of the mouth and tongue. In babies, it is easy to mistake thrush for milk or formula. It looks like cottage cheese or milk curds. Don’t try to wipe away these patches, because you can make them red and sore. Some babies with thrush can be cranky and do not want to eat.

In most cases, doctors can diagnose thrush just by looking at the white patches and will prescribe an antifungal medicine such as nystatin liquid. In most cases, you will put the medicine directly on the white patches. When a baby has thrush, the yeast can cause a diaper rash at the same time as thrush. Your baby may need nystatin cream or ointment for his or her diaper area.

If your baby has thrush, it may help to:

• Clean bottle nipples and pacifiers regularly using hot water.
• Clean your nipples with medicine, such as nystatin, if you breast-feed your baby. Breast-feeding mothers and babies can pass a yeast infection back and forth.
• Dry your nipples and apply lanolin lotion after breast-feeding.

According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children for 24 hours after being treated with doctor prescribed anti-fungal medication. Children will need a doctors note to return. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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Impetigo is a non-serious infection caused by streptococcus (strep) or staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. The skin normally has many types of bacteria on it, but intact skin is an effective barrier that keeps bacteria from entering and growing in the body. When there is a break in the skin, bacteria can enter the body and grow there, causing inflammation and infection.

Impetigo causes painless, fluid-filled blisters — usually on the trunk, arms and legs. The skin around the blister is usually red and itchy but not sore. The blisters, which break and scab over with a yellow-colored crust, may be large or small.  Bullous Impetigo is a type type of Impetigo that primarily affects infants and children younger than 2 years and may last longer than sores from other types of Impetigo.

Children are highly contagious 3 days before any signs of infection occur and continue to be contagious 3-5 days after blisters appear. Once blisters are gone children are no longer contagious.

Children with Impetigo need to be treated by a doctor with either an antibiotic ointment or an oral antibiotic. Infected children must stay away from other children until the blisters & subsequent scabs are completely gone and it is no longer contagious. 

What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

It is a non-serious viral infection causing sores in the mouth and blisters on hands & feet. It usually appears in the Spring & Fall. It is often difficult to diagnose. It may appear to be chicken pox, insect bits, dermatitis etc. If you suspect your child shows the symptoms, be sure to have your doctor check for Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease.

It is similar to getting a rash or a cold. So there is absolutely nothing to be alarmed about. And just like a cold the infection lasts 3- 7 days and disappears on its own. One does not become immune to the infection and therefore can become infected again.

Children are highly contagious 3 days before any signs of infection occur and continue to be contagious 2-3 days after blisters appear. Once blisters  & subsequent scabs are gone children are no longer contagious.

Children with Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease do NOT need any treatment other than to rest and let the virus run its coarse.

Prevention of Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

People infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease can spread it to others when they cough or sneeze. You can also get hand, foot, and mouth disease if you come into contact with an infected person’s blister fluid or feces (poop). Lower your risk of being infected by doing the following:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water
2. Disinfect dirty surfaces and soiled items
3. Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people

At Halsey School we always  keep everything clean and sanitary and check all children on arrival and throughout the day and make sure all contagious children stay home.

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Stay At Home Policy

According to our Illness Policy if a child shows symptoms of either of these illnesses, he/she will need care at home away from other children until blisters & subsequent scabs are completely gone. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back.  Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.

If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.

818-992-1942 • SICK@HALSEYSCHOOLS.COM

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