Sick/Absent FAQ: This page contains answers to common questions of 
students and parents.

1. How is the flu virus spread?
2. How long does the flu virus live away from the body?
3. How is the school preparing for the Flu season?
4. HOW CAN MY CHILD RECEIVE MEDICATION DURING THE SCHOOL DAY?
5. SICK DAYS: WHEN IS MY CHILD ABLE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER A FEVER?
6. WHAT IS THE SCHOOL DOING ABOUT THE MRSA INFECTION PROBLEM.

How is the flu virus spread?

Primarily through respiratory droplets:
     Coughing, sneezing, or touching resp. droplets from another 
person or object & then touching your mouth, nose & eyes without 
washing hands.

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How long does the flu virus live away from the body?

Virus lives for 2-8 hours.

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How is the school preparing for the Flu season?

Student & staff who have flu like symptoms will be sent home. 

Exclusion period is 24 hours after fever free without fever 
reducing medications.

Students will wash hands or use hand sanitizers before lunch and 
after recess. 

Children and staff exhibiting flu like symptoms will use surgical 
masks until sent home, and will be kept away from well children.

Children are being instructed on proper, thorough handwashing, 
and the proper way to cover mouth (using crook of arm).

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HOW CAN MY CHILD RECEIVE MEDICATION DURING THE SCHOOL DAY?

TEMPORARY MEDICATIONS (ANTIBIOTICS):  send in the pharmacy 
container with 
the 
child's and the doctor's name on the label, and the medication 
can be given 
for the period of time required.
MEDICATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR:  obtain a medication form 
from the 
nurse to be filled out entirely by the doctor.  Bring in the 
medication in 
the original pharmacy container, with this completed form,(be 
sure to sign 
the front of the form) and the child can receive this medication 
as needed.  
REMEMBER THAT CHILDREN ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO CARRY MEDICATION 
THEMSELVES.

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SICK DAYS: WHEN IS MY CHILD ABLE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER A FEVER?

The School has a policy that requires a child to be fever-free 
for 24 hours 
WITHOUT MEDICATION, before he/she may return to school.  In other 
words, if 
you have a fever today, you stay out tomorrow.

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WHAT IS THE SCHOOL DOING ABOUT THE MRSA INFECTION PROBLEM.

MRSA (Methicilllin resistant staphlococus aureus) has been in the 
papers a 
lot lately.  The majority of the cases have been found in 
hospitals, mainly 
affecting the elderly, with a few cases in schools affecting 
athletes.  The 
main way to avoid this disease is by good hygiene, mainly 
handwashing.  The 
children in all grades at Lawrence Brook will be reminded of 
proper 
handwashing technique, and encouraged to wash hands frequently.  
Tables in 
the classrooms are regularly washed down twice a week with a 
germicidal 
cleaner. 

Signs of a skin infection are redness, swelling, warmth at the 
site, pain 
and/or tenderness.  There may or may not be pus draining from the 
wound.  If 
these symptoms are present, consult your doctor immediately.  
Most 
infections are NOT MRSA, but all infections should be checked by 
your doctor.

This problem is not a new one, since cases have been reported for 
many 
years, but the numbers are rising so it is good to be informed. 
If you have any further questions or concerns, please give me a 
call

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