Guidance on Acute Respiratory Illness for Elementary and Secondary Schools November 15, 2017 NH Department of Health and Services (NH DHHS) Objective: Protect yourself, family, friends and the community from Acute Respiratory Illness. Recommendations for students and staff: To maintain general health and hygiene activities in your school. Instruct and remind students and staff to carefully wash hands using soap (and or use alcoholic based hand sanitizer if not visibly soiled). Encourage the importance of coughing and sneezing into the elbow. In addition, remind everyone not to share drinks or utensils with one another. Teaching regarding proper hand washing techniques should be conducted twice every school year. School officials should ensure that soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer are readily available and well stocked. Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned regularly. Any student presenting respiratory symptoms such coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, general malaise, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea should contact a health care provider. Ill individuals should public places and only leave home in case of emergency or to seek medical attention (i.e., pharmacy, clinical visit). If ill individual or caretaker to leave their home, protective measure should be implemented (i.e., face mask, tissues, or handkerchief) to cover all cough and sneezes. Students and staff recovering from respiratory illness should be symptom free for at least 24 hours prior to returning to school. It is recommended that individuals see a health care provider before returning. School nurses should report higher than normal absenteeism to NH DHHS Communicable Disease Section 603-271-4496, or utilize the reporting website (Additional Information on Page 3). Please use attached parent letter template as an informational tool. Caretakers: Should remain home if they develop symptoms, minimize contact in the community, and designate a single household member as caretaker to minimize illness transmission. For any Questions regarding the contents of this message, please contact NH DHHS Communicable Disease Control and Surveillance Section 603-271-4496 (after hours Also refer to NH DHHS website for more information
Guidance on Acute Respiratory Illness for Elementary and Secondary Schools November 15, 2017 NH Department of Health and Services (NH DHHS) Objective: Protect yourself, family, friends and the community from Acute Respiratory Illness. Recommendations for students and staff: To maintain general health and hygiene activities in your school. Instruct and remind students and staff to carefully wash hands using soap (and or use alcoholic based hand sanitizer if not visibly soiled). Encourage the importance of coughing and sneezing into the elbow. In addition, remind everyone not to share drinks or utensils with one another. Teaching regarding proper hand washing techniques should be conducted twice every school year. School officials should ensure that soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer are readily available and well stocked. Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned regularly. Any student presenting respiratory symptoms such coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, general malaise, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea should contact a health care provider. Ill individuals should public places and only leave home in case of emergency or to seek medical attention (i.e., pharmacy, clinical visit). If ill individual or caretaker to leave their home, protective measure should be implemented (i.e., face mask, tissues, or handkerchief) to cover all cough and sneezes. Students and staff recovering from respiratory illness should be symptom free for at least 24 hours prior to returning to school. It is recommended that individuals see a health care provider before returning. School nurses should report higher than normal absenteeism to NH DHHS Communicable Disease Section 603-271-4496, or utilize the reporting website (Additional Information on Page 3). Please use attached parent letter template as an informational tool. Caretakers: Should remain home if they develop symptoms, minimize contact in the community, and designate a single household member as caretaker to minimize illness transmission. For any Questions regarding the contents of this message, please contact NH DHHS Communicable Disease Control and Surveillance Section 603-271-4496 (after hours Also refer to NH DHHS website for more information
NH%20school%20nurse%20Protocol%20ILI.docx