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The term
Cough
Sore or scratchy throat or tonsillitis
Runny nose
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Headache
Fever
Earache
Incubation period: 2 to 14 days.
Contagious period: Usually a few days before signs or symptoms appear and while signs and symptoms are present. The presence of green or yellow discharge from the nose is common. Darker or greener nasal discharge does not mean the child is more ill or contagious or has a greater need for antibiotics.
Respiratory (droplet) route: Contact with large droplets that form when a child talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets can land on or be rubbed into the eyes, nose, or mouth. The droplets do not stay in the air; they usually travel no more than 3 feet and fall onto the ground.
Contact with the respiratory secretions from or objects contaminated by children who carry these viruses.
Use good hand-hygiene technique at all the times listed in Chapter 2.
Prevent contact with respiratory secretions. Teach children and teachers/caregivers to cover their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing with a disposable facial tissue, if possible, or with an upper sleeve or elbow if no facial tissue is available in time. Teach everyone to remove any mucus or debris on skin or other surfaces and perform hand hygiene right after using facial tissues or having contact with mucus to prevent the spread of disease by contaminated hands. Change or cover clothing with mucus on it.
Dispose of facial tissues that contain nasal secretions after each use.
Sanitize or disinfect surfaces that are touched by hands frequently, such as toys, tables, and doorknobs (see Routine Schedule for Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting in Chapter 8).
Ventilate the facility with fresh outdoor air when possible and maintain temperature and humidity conditions as described in
Winter months: 68°F to 75°F (20.0°C-23.9°C) with 30% to 50% relative humidity.
Summer months: 74°F to 82°F (23.3°C-27.8°C) with 30% to 50% relative humidity.
Air quality: Have a contractor assess and recommend what should be done to have the air quality in the facility meet the current American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards (
) for air quality in schools.
Exclusion of children with signs or symptoms has no benefit in reducing the spread of common respiratory infections. Viruses that cause upper respiratory infections are often spread by children who do not have signs or symptoms (ie, before they get sick or after they recover) or who never develop symptoms.
No, unless
The child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children in the group.
The child meets other exclusion criteria (see Conditions Requiring Temporary Exclusion in Chapter 4).
Yes, when all the following criteria have been met:
When exclusion criteria are resolved, the child is able to participate, and staff members determine they can care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children in the group
Adapted from
Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication.
The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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