Health Guidelines for School Attendance
Keeping a sick child home protects other children, school staff, and visiting community members from catching an illness that can be spread from person to person.
A sick child who is unable to participate at school should be kept home to rest and recover until symptoms improve. Please be aware of the following guidelines for school attendance.
A student with any of the following symptoms should not attend school:
- Temperature of 100 degrees or higher
- Nausea, Vomiting, or Diarrhea
- Eye redness and/or drainage
- Undetermined rash and/or scaly patches over any part of the body or scalp
- Intense itching with signs and symptoms of secondary infection
- Open, draining lesions
A child with any of these symptoms must stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours and without the use of medication before returning to school.
If a parent suspects that his or her child has a contagious disease, the parent should contact the school nurse so that other students who might have been exposed to the disease can be alerted. Remember, hand washing can prevent the spread of diseases.
When you take your child to a healthcare provider for an evaluation of illness or injury, please be sure to request a written letter stating when your child may return to school and any accommodations required upon his/her return.
For COVID-19: please refer to the Austin ISD COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols for students who are experiencing symptoms, have tested positive, or have been in close contact with an individual who tested positive.
Austin ISD is required to report certain contagious (communicable) diseases and illnesses to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) or our local/regional health authority.For a complete list of Communicable Diseases, please see the Communicable Disease Chart for Schools from the Texas Department of State Health.
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Common Illnesses |
When can my child return to school? |
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When on antibiotics and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medication and approval by a healthcare provider. |
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When all lesions have crusted over and it has been at least 24 hours since the last new lesion appeared. |
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When fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medication. |
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A doctor's note is required unless symptoms have resolved. |
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When diarrhea-free for 24 hours without the use of diarrhea-suppressing medication. |
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Fever |
When fever-free (< 100.0 F) for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medication. |
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When fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medication. |
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When fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medication. |
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When diarrhea-free and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing or anti-diarrheal medication. |
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After completion of five days of antibiotic therapy. |
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Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be excluded from attending school. Exclusion from school/sports activities should be reserved for these with wound drainage that cannot be completely covered and contained by a clean, dry bandage and those who cannot maintain good personal hygiene. |
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When diarrhea-free and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing or anti-diarrheal medication. |
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When on antibiotics and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medication. |
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Vomiting |
When able to tolerate food and liquids without any recurrence of vomiting, typically 24 hours after the last episode. |
For a full list visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/
For more information:
Staff
Alana Bejarano, RN, MSN, NCSN
Director of Health Services
Donna Piket, MPH
Public Health Coordinator
Jose Serrano, MPH
Assistant Director of Health Services
Ginger Voss
Contracts Manager
Ellie Gamble, LCSW-S
Coordinator of Psychological Services
Contact
Student Medical Record Requests
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