Health & Illness Information
The health of our students is important to us, and we work hard to keep the school environment clean and to partner with families to teach and model good hygiene practices. We also remain in close contact with local health agencies to stay alerted to any serious outbreaks of communicable illnesses.
Along with general cleaning, top custodial priorities include daily cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms, door handles and other high-contact areas like elevators, buttons for automatic doors and stairway handrails.
Stay home when sick
One of the most important things you can do to stop the spread of germs is keep sick people at home. Sore throat, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or a temperature of 100 degrees F or higher are reasons to stay home. Your child should be fever-free for 24 hours without medicine before returning to school. Also consider whether your child is rested and alert enough to learn, pay attention in class and participate in all school activities.
- COVID-19
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
- Head Lice
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Measles
- Meningococcal Disease
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- Pertussis
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Scoliosis screening
- Varicella/Chicken Pox
COVID-19
The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, shortness of breath, body aches, new loss of taste or smell, cough (new, changes, or worsening), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or sore throat. With any of these symptoms, individuals should stay home and should be tested for COVID-19. Individuals can return if symptoms have significantly improved, and they are fever free for 24 hours without medication. As of late September 2024, residential households in the U.S. are eligible to order four (4) free at-home COVID-19 tests from USPS. Free tests can also be ordered from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Click here to be redirected to the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
What is hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD)?
HFMD is a common viral illness among infants and children younger than 5 years of age but may also occur in older children and adults. It is most common in the summer and fall. Although the name of this illness may sound scary, HFMD is generally a mild illness caused by a different virus.
What are the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD)?
Symptoms of HFMD may include a skin rash with small blisters that are most commonly found on the hands, feet, and buttocks. Blisters may also be present inside the mouth, which can make it difficult to eat or drink. Other symptoms include a low-grade fever, sore throat, runny nose, increased drooling or cough. Some people may show no symptoms at all, but they can still pass the virus to others. The infection usually goes away without any serious complications within seven to 10 days. On rare occasions, complications of viral meningitis or encephalitis may occur.
How is hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD) spread?
The virus can be passed through saliva, through the fluid from blisters on the hands and feet, and through the person’s feces (poop). A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness but may stay contagious for several weeks afterwards. The time between becoming infected and the start of symptoms is between three and seven days. It is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals. Outbreaks of HFMD in childcare facilities usually coincide with an increased number of cases in the community.
Who may become ill with hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD)?
HFMD can affect anyone, but most cases occur in children under 5 years old. Adults have typically been exposed to the viruses causing HFMD earlier in life and are less likely to get it as adults. Infection results in immunity (protection) to the specific virus that caused the illness. However, since several different viruses can cause HFMD, a person is not completely immune to the disease and can get a case of HFMD again.
How is hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD) treated?
There is no specific treatment available for HVMD. Symptoms may be treated to provide relief from fever, aches, or pain from the mouth ulcers. Never give aspirin to a child, as this has been associated with Reye Syndrome.
How can the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD) be reduced?
- Thoroughly sanitize all toys, especially those that are put in the mouth. Any toy that a child has mouthed should be removed from the play area until it has been cleaned and sanitized. Wash toys first with soapy water and then rinse with water. Sanitize toys and other potentially contaminated surfaces.
- Make sure that all children and adults use good handwashing practices, especially after diaper changing or using the toilet.
- Avoid contact with nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus), fluid in blisters, and stool of infected persons.
- Teach children to cover their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing.
It is important to understand that the virus may still be excreted for weeks after the symptoms have disappeared. Some people may excrete the virus even though they never had any symptoms. Therefore, maintaining good sanitation and hand washing is always important and should be routinely practiced.
Should you exclude those with hand, foot and mouth disease (HVMD) from group setting?
HVMD is highly contagious. People with the illness should limit their exposure to others while they have active signs and symptoms. Children or staff with active symptoms of HVMD should be excluded until fever is resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications and mouth sores are healed.
Head Lice
What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny insects about the size of a sesame seed. They live and lay their eggs (called “nits”) on the hair close to the scalp. Lice may also be found in eyebrows and eyelashes. Lice do not carry disease, and do not live on pets or other animals. A single insect is called a “louse.” There are three stages in the lifespan of a louse including the nit (egg), nymph (young adult), and adult stage. An adult louse can live on the human head for about 30 days, but will die within 48 hours away from the scalp.
What are the symptoms of lice?
Lice symptoms include itching behind the ears, neck or scalp, sores from scratching the head, a sense of something moving in the hair, and irritability. Lice are active at night, so sleep may be affected as well. Scratching can lead to skin sores on the scalp and skin infections. In some cases, there are no symptoms.
How are lice spread?
Lice can crawl from one person to another. They do not fly or jump from one person to another. Most often, lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact with a person who has lice. There is also a small possibility that lice may spread when a person with lice shares items like coats, hats, helmets, pillows, brushes, and other personal items, or when these personal items come in direct contact during storage.
Who is at risk for lice?
Anyone in contact with an infested individual, or contaminated items, can get lice. It is not associated with economic status or personal hygiene. It is more common in preschool children and their families because of close contact.
What is the treatment for lice?
There are a variety of treatments for lice. These are available for purchase over the counter and by prescription. Carefully follow the package directions as some products may need to be applied again to remove newly hatching lice. Using a nit comb every couple of days to remove nits and lice may help prevent re-infestation. Consult with your health care provider for treatment recommendations, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if the child is under 2 years of age. All household members should be checked for lice infestation, and all those with active infestation need to be treated. Focus of treatment should be on the infected person(s), not on the environment.
How are lice diagnosed?
By carefully inspecting hair with a bright light and a magnifying glass, lice and nits can be identified. They are usually close to the scalp around the ears and along the nape of the neck. They feel like little grains of sand on the hair.
How is the spread of lice reduced?
- Regularly inspect the hair of children in group settings, wash hands after checking each child.
- Avoid head-to-head contact with individuals who have lice.
- Do not share hats, combs, coats, pillows, or other personal items.
- Keep long hair pulled back.
- In group settings:
- Provide separate storage areas for each person’s clothing and other personal items using individual cubbies, lockers, or bins with solid walls.
- Assign sleeping mats and bedding to only one child and store these separately when children are in group care. Children on mats or cots should sleep at least 18” apart and in a head-to-foot or foot-to-foot arrangement.
Household cleaning for lice
Only items that have been in contact with the head of the person with an infestation in the 48 hours before treatment need to be considered for cleaning. Chemical treatment of the environment is not advised.
- Wash sheets, pillowcases, towels, and clothing in hot (130°F) water and dry on a high heat cycle.
- Items that cannot be washed can be: sealed in a plastic bag for at least two weeks, or dry-cleaned.
- Soak brushes, combs, and hair ornaments in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5–10 minutes.
- Vacuum the floor, furniture, and car seat. Throw the vacuum bag away or empty the vacuum canister in an outside garbage container after vacuuming.
- Do note: Use of fumigate sprays can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Note that lice do not live outside a human body for very long, so intensive cleaning of the environment is less helpful than measures that directly target the individual with lice.
Exclude from group setting?
The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends routine exclusion of children from K-12 settings for head lice. Childcare licensing regulations also no longer require the routine exclusion for head lice. However, childcare may choose whether to include head lice and/or nits in their facility’s exclusion guidelines and whether exclusion is to be immediate or at the end of the day. The exclusion policy must be written and available to parents. Head lice are not a health hazard and are not easily spread in school-age classrooms. However, parents and guardians must be informed that prompt, proper treatment is in the best interest of their child and his or her classmates. Treatment should be required before returning to care.
* Information provided from the Snohomish County Health Department.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
The Washington State Legislature requires us to make information available to you about human papillomavirus (HPV) and how to prevent it. Know the facts about HPV and the vaccine available to protect your child.
What is HPV?
HPV is a very common virus that can cause cancers later in life. Nearly 42 million people are currently infected with HPV in the United States. About 13 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.
In the United States, an estimated 36,000 people are affected by a cancer caused by HPV infection each year. While there is screening for cervical cancer that can detect cancer early, there is no recommended screening for the other cancers caused by HPV infection, like cancers of the back of the throat, anus, penis, vagina, or vulva.
How can I protect my child from HPV?
HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and lasting protection against the HPV infections that most commonly cause cancer. HPV vaccination works extremely well. HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90% of HPV-attributable cancers.
Since HPV vaccination was first recommended in 2006, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women.
Who should get the vaccine and when should they get it?
Because the vaccine is more effective when given at younger ages, two doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls starting at age 9. If boys or girls do not get the first dose of HPV vaccine before age 15, they will need three doses. In addition to HPV vaccine, your 11- to 12-year-old should receive Tdap and meningococcal vaccines.
Where can I find the HPV vaccine?
Ask your doctor, nurse, or local health department to find out more about HPV vaccine and where you can get it. Washington provides all recommended vaccines at no cost for kids through age 18 through the Childhood Vaccine Program. Participating providers may charge an office visit fee and an administration fee to give the vaccine. People who can’t afford the administration fee can ask to have it waived. This provider map can be used to find providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program.
For more information on HPV, the vaccine, and cancer prevention:
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can have serious health consequences, especially for young people and adults. Almost everyone who has not had the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) shot will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. Measles spreads through coughing or sneezing and the virus can survive in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
Here are some key messages about the measles vaccine:
- It is recommended that a child receive his or her first dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 12 and 15 months. The second dose should be received between the ages of 4 and 6 years old.
- If you are not sure whether you have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, you can check at https://wa.myir.net.
- If you don’t think you have received all recommended doses of the MMR vaccine, contact your healthcare provider to get the vaccine or to get a blood test.
- If you think you have been exposed to measles, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Stay home from work, school, or child care, and don’t go to any public place such as church or the grocery store until you have received further recommendations from your healthcare provider.
About measles
Measles is a childhood infection that is caused by a virus. Also called rubella, measles can be serious and even fatal for young children. As a result of high vaccination rates, measles hasn’t been widespread in the United States for more than a decade, but the average number of cases has increased in recent years.
The first symptoms of measles are like a bad cold: a high fever, runny nose, and cough, followed by a rash that usually lasts five to six days. It can also cause the patient to be very tired and to have red, watery eyes that are sensitive to light. Serious cases can cause ear infections, pneumonia, hearing loss, seizures, brain damage, or even death. There is no treatment for measles.
People with measles can spread the disease before they are aware that they’re sick. It can be spread from four days before the rash appears to four days after. Measles spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. If a person is not protected by vaccination or is not immune, he or she may get measles if they are in the same place as someone who has the virus even if that person doesn’t cough or sneeze directly on them. That’s because the measles virus can remain in the air of a room for up to two hours.
For more information, please visit www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles.
Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal Disease and Prevention
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness. It spreads through close contact by coughing, kissing, or sharing anything by mouth, such as water bottles, eating utensils, lip balm, or toothbrushes. It can cause pneumonia, blood infections, and meningitis (swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord). Severe disease can cause brain damage, loss of hearing or limbs, and death. Fortunately, this life-threatening infection is rare – we usually have only about 20 to 30 reported cases each year in Washington. Adolescents and young adults are more likely to get meningococcal disease, especially if they live in group settings like college dorms.
There are two types of vaccines that protect against several kinds of meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)
MCV4 protects your child against the four most common types of bacteria that cause disease. MCV4 is a routine recommendation for all children aged 11 to 12 years, with a booster for teens aged 16 to 18. Teens who did not get their first dose at the right time should get it as soon as possible. Teens with high-risk conditions like weak immune systems may need more doses.
Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB)
MenB protects against most meningococcal B strains. It may be given to teens and adults aged 16 to 23 who have rare health conditions, who are at increased risk during a meningococcal B disease outbreak or based on shared decision making with your health care provider.
Where can I find the meningococcal vaccine?
Ask your doctor, nurse, or local health department to find out more about HPV vaccine and where you can get it. Washington provides all recommended vaccines at no cost for kids through age 18 through the Childhood Vaccine Program. Participating providers may charge an office visit fee and an administration fee to give the vaccine. People who can’t afford the administration fee can ask to have it waived. This provider map can be used to find providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program.
Learn more about meningococcal disease and how to prevent it:
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
“Staph” bacteria are a common cause of skin infections. When certain antibiotics don’t kill the staph bacteria, it means the bacteria have become resistant to those antibiotics. Resistant staph bacteria are called MRSA. MRSA skin infections may present as an abscess, impetigo, boil, “turf/rug burn” or an open wound. The infection is often mistaken for a spider bite. Symptoms can include fever, redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, and tenderness at the site. If students don’t feel well and have any of these symptoms, it is best for them to stay home and see their licensed health care provider.
Snohomish Health District has shared with us that although MRSA is an important health issue, most illnesses caused by MRSA are treatable skin infections that heal with proper wound care, sometimes without requiring antibiotics. Even in severe cases, most patients respond to commonly available antibiotics.
MRSA is primarily spread through contact with the bacteria, either by direct person-to-person contact or indirectly through shared equipment, personal articles/objects or contaminated surfaces. Examples of shared objects include drinking containers, towels, soap, razors, clothing, and athletic equipment.
In addition to our regular cleaning procedures, the following precautions are in place for our student athletes that are involved in contact sports, especially wrestling:
- Prior to each practice, mats are sprayed with a disinfectant engineered to kill Staph.
- Student athletes are instructed to take their gear home every day and wash it thoroughly prior to the next day’s practice.
- Student athletes are to shower daily prior to as well as after practice.
- Student athletes with any open skin lesions or soft tissue lesions are not allowed to participate until cleared to do so by a doctor.
- Additional information about MRSA can be found on the Snohomish Health District website or on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Pertussis
What is pertussis?
Pertussis is a very contagious infection that causes a coughing illness. It is caused by bacteria (germs) that are found in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough.
How can pertussis be prevented?
The vaccination against pertussis is included in the DTaP, DTP and Tdap vaccines. Pertussis is the “P” part of the vaccine. Children less than 7 years of age should get 5 doses of the DTaP/DTP vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months, and at 4-6 years of age. 7-9 year old children should get vaccinated with Tdap if they did not complete their primary series. Adolescents and adults 10 years and older should get one booster dose of Tdap if they have not previously received Tdap. Pregnant women should be immunized during the late second or third trimester of each pregnancy to help protect their newborn infants irrespective of prior history of receiving Tdap. Consult your health care provider if you have vaccine questions or call the Snohomish County Health Department Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at 425-339-5234.
What are symptoms of pertussis?
The illness begins with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, and mild cough. Within one to two weeks, the cough becomes more severe, and leads to coughing fits, difficulty in getting one’s breath, mucus production, vomiting following coughing, and a “whooping” sound while struggling to inhale after coughing. Fever is usually absent. The disease may last six to 10 weeks or longer. Pertussis is most dangerous in infants less than 6 months of age, and serious complications can occur.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms appear between five and 21 days after exposure, usually seven to 10 days.
How is pertussis spread?
The bacteria are found in the nose and throat of an ill person and are spread through droplets when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. The greatest risk of spread is during the early stage when it appears to be a "cold."
Who may become ill with pertussis?
Pertussis can occur at any age. Severe illness is more common in infants and young children who either have never been vaccinated or who have not received the full series of vaccines. Many cases occur in older children and adults because protection from the vaccine lasts only five to 10 years after the last dose.
How long is a person infectious (contagious)?
Without antibiotic treatment, a person is contagious for up to three weeks after the start of coughing fits. If treated with antibiotics, then the ill person is contagious until five days after treatment begins.
How is pertussis diagnosed?
A swab from the back of the nose and throat is necessary for identifying the bacteria. A routine throat culture is not adequate to diagnose this disease. It may take as long as 10 days to receive the results of the test, although most test results are available within a few days.
How is pertussis treated?
Antibiotics, preferably azithromycin or erythromycin, are used to treat the disease. During this time, the ill individual should remain at home to reduce the spread of the disease.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory illnesses like Influenza virus (flu), COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) spread easily in fall and winter, when people spend more time together indoors. These illnesses affect your respiratory system and therefore your breathing. When multiple viruses are spreading, it can strain the healthcare system and make it harder to access care for other issues, as well. Please click here to view and download a respiratory illnesses handout fromthe Snohomish County Health District.
Scoliosis screening
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Make scoliosis screening part of your child's annual exam. As of July 2009, Legislative Bill No. 1322 was passed and signed to rescind scoliosis screening in public schools. In previous years, school nurses screened all students in 5th, 7th & 9th grades annually. Scoliosis screening is not conducted at school.
Our nurses encourage you to have your son or daughter checked by your health care provider when they have their yearly physical exam. If you are concerned and unable to access a health care provider, please contact the building school nurse to request a scoliosis screening.What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine that may cause deformity and pain if undiagnosed. Most scoliosis goes undetected and does not cause any problems. Occasionally scoliosis is bad enough that bracing or surgery is indicated.The symptoms of scoliosis are uneven musculature on one side of the spine. This may look like a rib hump, a prominent shoulder blade, one shoulder being higher than the other or an uneven hip. Pain is occasionally considered a symptom of scoliosis.
Varicella/Chicken Pox
All public and private high school students are required to get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine before they can enter school.
People may consider chickenpox a routine and mild childhood illness; however, it is a very contagious disease that spreads quickly and causes an itchy rash, fever, and sometimes serious illness. People infected with chickenpox are at risk for developing shingles, a painful skin rash, later in life. Chickenpox is transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing or by touching chickenpox blisters.
Students are not required to be vaccinated if they already had two doses of the vaccine, have had chickenpox in the past, or have had a blood test showing they are immune. Parents can make sure all their students are ready to enter school by making appointments with their healthcare provider now. If a student needs two doses of the chickenpox vaccine, they need to wait one month between each dose.
Information and frequently asked questions about the new chickenpox vaccine requirements are available on Department of Health’s website. Parents can also learn more about all vaccine requirements for the 2023-2024 school year.
Parents can receive no-cost vaccines for all kids up to 19-years-old through health care providers participating in the state’s Childhood Vaccine Program. Participating providers may charge for the office visit and an administration fee to give the vaccine. People who can’t afford the administration fee can ask for it to be waived. For help finding a health care provider or an immunization clinic, call your local health agency or the WithinReach Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.