General Illness in Schools | Vermont Department of Health

General Illness in Schools | Vermont Department of Health
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General Illness in Schools
School Health
Standards of Practice: School Health Services Manual
School Health Resources
General Illness in Schools
School nurses play a critical role in assessing student health and preventing the spread of illness. Nurses should use clinical judgment to determine whether a student is well enough to remain in school, be sent home, or require further evaluation. If a student or staff member is not well enough to learn or participate in school activities, they should be sent home, regardless of whether they are tested for a specific illness. Recommended public health guidance for schools can be seen at this
CDC link
.
Managing Illness in Schools
Clinical Judgment: School nurses should assess symptoms and determine if a student should remain in school. If symptoms interfere with participation in school activities, the student should be sent home.
Masking: If a student is being sent home due to illness, they may be required to wear a mask while awaiting pick-up. The decision to require masking should be based on clinical discretion.
Return to School: A student may return to school once symptoms have improved, and they meet school criteria for their illness. Testing, such as for COVID-19, should not be required for return.
Vaccinations: Schools should encourage students and staff to stay current on recommended vaccinations.
Infection Prevention in Schools
Hand Hygiene:
Encourage frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water to prevent the spread of germs.
Respiratory Etiquette:
Promote covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Cleaning and Disinfection
: Routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces should be maintained.
Ventilation
: Ensure proper airflow in classrooms and shared spaces.
Common Illnesses in Schools
School settings may see a variety of illnesses, including:
Respiratory illnesses: Influenza, RSV, common colds, COVID-19
Gastrointestinal illnesses: Norovirus, viral gastroenteritis
Vaccine-preventable diseases: Measles, mumps, pertussis, chickenpox
Skin and contact infections: Impetigo, hand-foot- and-mouth disease, scabies
Schools should follow best practices for managing the specific illness.
For specific outbreak management guidance related to flu and GI illness, refer to:
Flu Outbreak Management
Norovirus and Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreaks
If you suspect an illness outbreak in your school and have questions, contact your
Local Health Office.
Mandatory Reporting of Communicable Diseases
Schools are required to report certain diseases and outbreaks under
Vermont’s Communicable Disease Reporting Rule
. Reportable conditions include:
COVID-19
Influenza A
Vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, varicella)
How to report a communicable disease:
To report an outbreak, please use the
Vermont Department of Health Outbreak Report Form
- SMART Program - SMART Program.
To report individual cases of COVID-19 (such as a parent’s report that a child is sick with COVID-19), please use the
COVID-19 Case Report form
.
With questions or to report individual cases of other disease, you can contact your
Local Health Office
(preferred) with your contact information.
You can contact the Health Department’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology team at
802-863-7240
Option 2 (Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)
For the full list of reportable diseases and reporting procedures, visit the
Communicable Disease Reporting Rule
.
Resources
Resource
Description
Preventing the Spread of Infections in K–12 Schools
Public health guidance from the CDC
Vermont Department of Health COVID-19 page
General community guidance on preventing COVID-19, vaccines, testing and symptoms, and treatment.
School COVID-19 Reporting Tool
Find out information on what tests need to be reported, where to report them, and what is included in the reports.
AOE Message to Superintendents about Medically Vulnerable Students
Information on accommodations for medically vulnerable students.
Vermont Department of Health Influenza (Flu) page
General community guidance on preventing the Flu, vaccines, testing and symptoms, and treatment.
Flu Outbreak Management Resources
Information on what to do if you suspect a flu outbreak in your school.
Vermont Department of Health Norovirus and Managing Outbreaks page
Information on Norovirus and what to do if you suspect an outbreak in your school.
Vermont Department of Health Respiratory Illnesses page
General community guidance on preventing respiratory illness, vaccines, testing and symptoms, and treatment.
Topics:
Child Health and Safety
|
COVID-19
Last Updated:
March 7, 2025