Contagious Illnesses & Other Diseases

Oak Farm's policies on contagious illnesses or infestations are listed below. This is a partial list.

Influenza: Influenza is a potentially serious viral disease. It can cause fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches. The influenza virus is usually passed when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, and another person inhales droplets containing the virus. If a child develops a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches, he or she will be sent home. Most people who get the flu will recover in 1-to-2 weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia.

Strep Throat: Onset is up to 7 days after exposure. Symptoms (one or all of the following): severe sore throat, fever, headache, and swollen glands. Consult your physician. Your child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics and when the child is fever free for 24 hours without medication.

Chicken Pox: Onset is 10-to-21 days after exposure. Symptoms: itchy rash of small red bumps on the scalp that spread to the stomach or back before spreading to the face, slight fever, and irritability for one day. Do not bring your child to school for 6 days after the rash appears and until all blisters scab over.

Pinworms: Itching of the anal area is the most common sign. Contamination results from contact with fingers that have been in contact with infested feces. Eggs can survive on clothing and linens for up to 2 weeks away from a human host. Consult your physician for treatment. Your child may return to school with physician’s written statement of treatment.

Head Lice: CONTACT THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR CHILD WAS EXPOSED. For two weeks after exposure, check individual hair shafts over entire head close to the scalp.

• You may or may not see a live louse. It is a very small insect. Head lice cannot fly or jump.
• The female louse lays eggs called nits. Nits look like sesame seeds glued to the hair shaft. They are difficult to dislodge. Nits hatch in 7 to 10 days. Empty nit cases look like a small teardrop. Finding lice or nits requires time, patience, and a good source of natural light.
• The Department of Health recommends the use of “Nix” shampoo and cream rinse for treatment of head lice. The FDA recommends an additional treatment 10 days after initial treatment to prevent reinfestation.
• Oak Farm has a “no nit” policy before a child can return to school.
• Treating your child for head lice is not enough. All members of your family must also be treated. You must also treat all clothing the child has worn or that has come in contact with other clothing (laundry basket, closet, etc.), bed linens, upholstered furniture, carpeting, your car seats, and the child’s car seat, etc.

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye): Onset is immediate upon contact and is highly contagious. Symptoms: burning, itching, and/or swollen eyes and a mucous discharge that can glue the eyes closed; eyes may appear red. Consult your physician for treatment. Child may return to school 24 hours after treatment begins with physician’s written statement of treatment.

Impetigo: Onset varies. Symptoms: blistery rash. When the blisters, open they produce a thick, golden-yellow discharge that dries, crusts, and adheres to the skin. It may appear on the face, hands, legs, feet or buttocks. It spreads rapidly if untreated. Consult your physician. Your child may return to school 24 hours after first treatment as long as there are no signs of a discharge and with physician’s statement of treatment.

Ringworm (Body): Onset varies. Symptoms: ring-like, reddish rash with a scaly or blistery border, often itchy. Your child may return to school 24 hours after first treatment with physician’s statement of treatment. Sores must be covered with a bandage.