Recommendations for Schools for

Influenza like Illness (ILI)

At this time, the primary means to reduce the spread of influenza in schools and child care programs is to focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when ill, and good cough and hand hygiene etiquette.

The following set of guidelines should be used by Prince William County (PWC) school nurses as talking points to parents and staff members. The following guidelines will serve as our protocol for treating influenza like illnesses in the school setting. 

• School and child care program closure is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1). Any school closure decisions should be made in consultation with the health department.

• Students, faculty, or staff with ILI (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school, child care programs, after school activities, or go into the community except to seek medical care until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medication.

• Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an ILI at arrival or become ill during the day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.

• Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children and faculty. Staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of ILI.

• Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in settings other than school.

• Students, faculty, and staff should stringently follow good infection control practices to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing and sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue is not available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible.

What are the Health Requirements to Enroll My Child In School?

A comprehensive physical examination to include state required immunizations is required for students entering Kindergarten and all new students to the county grades 1 through 5.
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