Respiratory Illnesses

Each year, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

What We Do

• Teaching children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice).
• Areas with frequent student contact will be sanitized and disinfected on a regular basis.
• Improving airflow: open windows when feasible, use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner.
• Custodial staff will disinfect frequent contact areas with approved solutions (e.g. desk tops, door handles etc.).
• School buses will be equipped with approved "green" solutions and disinfected on an as-needed basis.
• Cafeteria staff will continue to follow USDA guidelines for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Program in all food service areas and Virginia Department of Health Codes for food preparation and sanitation.
• In the case of an outbreak, deep disinfecting will be done after consultation with the health department.

What You Can Do

• Stay up to date with immunizations.
• Students and staff with respiratory symptoms such as: fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others (chest discomfort, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, muscle or body aches).
  • should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not feel feverish without using fever-reducing drugs and symptoms are improving overall.
• Sick people should stay at home, except to go to the doctor's office, and should avoid contact with others. Keeping people with a fever at home may reduce the number of people who get infected. Because high temperatures are linked with higher amounts of virus, people with a fever may be more contagious.
• When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next 5 days:
  • practice good hygiene: cover cough/sneezes, using good hand washing,
  • masking: wearing a mask can help lower the risk of respiratory virus transmission. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infections particles from people around them.
• Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
• If you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

Reporting: Families should report positive test results, RSV, Flu or COVID to their child’s school nurse.

Sick at school:Students who are ill during school hours will be evaluated by the school nurse and asked to wear a mask while waiting to go home. Students with symptoms of respiratory illness with fever will be advised to stay home at least 24 hours and follow guidance listed above.

Resources

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• CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance
• Respiratory Virus Guidance Snapshot