Skip To Main Content

Illness Prevention & Control of Spread in Schools

Illness Prevention & Control of Spread in Schools

  • Encourage children and adults to wash their hands frequently, especially before handling or preparing foods and after wiping noses, diapering, using toilets, or handling animals.
  • Wash hands with soap and water long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
  • Sinks, soap, and disposable towels should be easy for children to use. 
  • If soap and water are not available, clean hands with gels or wipes with alcohol in them.

To protect other students from contagious illnesses, students exhibiting signs and symptoms of any illness as defined by the Texas Department of Health as easily transmitted to other, are not allowed to come to school while contagious. Common contagious illnesses are listed below. You can also see the complete list of diseases requiring exclusion from school.

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) - Exclude until doctor's note presented or until symptom free

COVID-19 - Students who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home until fever-free for 24 hours

Diarrhea - Three or more episodes of loose stools in a 24- hour period. 

Fever of 100 or greater - Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Motrin

Flu - Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. See more information on how to prevent the flu.

Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum) - Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications

Lice - Please see Belton ISD's policy for managing lice at school.

Meningitis (bacterial) and meningococcal infections (invasive) - Exclude until 24 hours after start of effective treatment and approval by health care provider. See more information on how to prevent meningitis.

Meningitis (viral) - Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Mononucleosis (infectious) - Exclude until physician decides or fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications

Pertussis (whooping cough) - Exclude until completion of five days of appropriate antibiotic therapy, or until 21 days have passed since cough onset, whichever is earlier.

Ringworm – No exclusion required if infected area can be completely covered by clothing or a bandage, otherwise, exclude until treatment has begun

Scabies - Exclude until treatment has begun

Skin infections - Exclude until drainage from wounds or skin is contained in a clean, dry bandage

Strep throat and scarlet fever - Exclude until 24 hours from time antibiotic treatment was begun and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications

Communicable Disease Notes When a Communicable Disease is Suspected

  • Separate the ill child from well children at the facility until the ill child can be taken home.
  • Inform parents immediately so that medical advice can be sought.
  • Adhere to the exclusion and readmission requirements provided on this chart.
  • Observe the appearance and behavior of exposed children and be alert to the onset of disease.
  • Pregnant women should avoid contact with individuals suspected of having chickenpox, cytomegalovirus, fifth disease, influenza, measles, and rubella. Seek medical advice if exposure occurs.
  • In addition to the conditions described in this chart, the following symptoms might indicate an infectious condition; consider excluding or isolating the child:
    • Irritability
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Crying that doesn’t stop with the usual comforting
    • Extreme sleepiness
    • Vomiting two or more times in 24 hours
    • Mouth sores

The District is also required to report certain contagious (communicable) diseases or illnesses to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) or our local/regional health authority. If a parent suspects that his or her student has a contagious disease, the parent should contact the school nurse before bringing the student to school. Contact the school nurse if you have questions or if you are concerned about whether or not your student should stay home. 

Guidelines for When a Student is Ill at School

If a student becomes ill during the school day, he or she must advise the teacher and report to the school nurse. If the nurse determines that the student should go home, the nurse will contact the parent. In case a parent cannot be reached, the office will notify the other emergency contacts you have listed to assume temporary care of your child. In emergency situations, when parents or a responsible person cannot be reached, medical attention will be provided at a medical facility at the parent's expense. Please call the school to update any new phone numbers or a change of address.