Illness Guidelines
NEW: APS Respiratory Illness* Guidelines
*Includes, but is not limited to, colds, flu, RSV, COVID-19, pneumonia, etc.
If student/staff member feels sick, please do the following:
- Review the APS Guidelines for Student Attendance During Illness. If student/staff member is not well enough to attend school/work, stay home.
- Consider testing for COVID-19 and/or getting tested for the flu or other respiratory illnesses. Free COVID-19 tests are available at every school and are also available from the USPS. They may be ordered here. You may request them from your student’s school nurse or order them now to have tests on hand when needed.
- If student/staff member tests positive for a respiratory illness, notify the school nurse.
- Contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
If student/staff member tests positive for a respiratory virus but does not have any symptoms:
- It is strongly recommended to stay home for about 72 hours to help reduce the chances that you spread the virus to others.
- If you do attend school/work, it is strongly recommended to wear a mask, practice good respiratory hygiene, including frequent hand washing, and employ social distancing around high risk individuals. Masks are available in the health office.
Returning to School after Illness:
Anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness must stay home until they meet both of the following criteria:
Contact your school nurse for any questions or concerns.
- At least 24 hours have passed with no fever (less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and without the use of fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin)
- Symptoms have improved over a 24-hour period
The CDC recommends the prevention strategies listed below when returning to school/work/normal activities for 5 days:
- Wear a well-fitting mask except when actively eating, drinking, or outside
- Keep distance from others, especially the elderly and those who are immunocompromised
- For individuals that test positive for COVID-19, you may consider testing after 5 days of illness to know if you’re still contagious (not required for return to school/work)
As always, practice good respiratory hygiene and wash hands or use sanitizer frequently.
Additional information and resources for respiratory illnesses can be found on Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.
Student Attendance During Illness
There are times when a student should remain at home for their own welfare and the protection of other students. Your student should remain at home if they have:
- Uncontrollable and/or productive cough
- Fever over 100.0 degrees fahrenheit within past 24 hours
- Vomiting or diarrhea within past 24 hours
- Sore throat and swollen glands
- Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
- Earache, severe headache or drainage from eyes
Students should remain home for 24 hours after an acute illness or after starting antibiotics for a diagnosed infection. They should also be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc). These absences can be excused with a note from a student's health care provider.
Contact your school nurse for any questions or concerns.