Health Office

Infectious Diseases in Schools

  • Infectious Diseases, also called communicable diseases, are widespread in our society and a common experience among children. It can be hard to know when to send children to school if they tell you that they do not feel well. Usually, the best place for them is in school, but there are some times when keeping them home to rest or call for an appointment with your health care provider is recommended.  Crowded conditions of schools create a particularly ripe environment for the transmission of a variety of these diseases.

  • You can help fight and prevent communicable diseases in your school by washing your hands vigorously with soap and water for a least 30 seconds after coming into contact with food or waste.  Covering your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing, and to stay home from school  when you are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness.

  • If you or your child experience any of the following symptoms please do not send your child to school and contact your medical provider immediately. If your child has a fever, it is not a good idea to give them medicine like Tylenol or Advil and send them to school because as soon as the medicine wears off, the fever may return and you will be called to come and pick up your child.

NYSDOH and CDC Information Fact Sheets (this list is not all-inclusive)