Keeping Your Child Healthy This School Year

It won't be long before children throughout DuPage County head back to school. The DuPage County Health Department is reminding parents that there are steps to take to ensure a healthy year in school for their children.

Here are some guidelines that parents can follow to prevent the spread of illness in classrooms this fall:

• Make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations and sports physicals, and receive an annual flu shot.
• Make sure your children have plenty of rest and a nutritious diet to help them fight germs.
• Make sure your children are dressed properly if they are involved in outdoor activities at recess or gym.
• Notify the school if your child has been diagnosed with an infectious condition such as strep throat, chickenpox, scarlet fever or pertussis.
• Teach children the proper way to wash their hands. Make sure they use soap and water, rub their hands for at least 20 seconds, and thoroughly rinse and dry their hands.
• Teach children the importance of covering their coughs and sneezes.
• Keep your child home if he or she is ill. One sick child can spread germs to all his or her classmates.
• Keep your child home if he or she has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, has nausea and/or vomiting, has a sore throat with fever, has a persistent cough (dry or productive), has diarrhea (three or more episodes in 24 hours), has a rash, or has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school such as excessive tiredness or lack of appetite, headaches, body aches, ear ache or sore throat.

If your child has recently been ill, please be aware of the following guidelines for returning your child to school, or athletic or social activity:

• The child should feel fit for at least 24 hours, be free of fever for at least 24 hours without medication, and be free of vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
• If your child had strep throat, he or she must be on the appropriate antibiotic for at least 24 hours. Conjunctivitis and rash illness should be assessed by a doctor.
• Keep your child home for at least five days after the appearance of a chickenpox rash or until all blisters have scabbed over.

For more information about the DuPage County Health Department, follow us on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook