Question

During the third week of school, Miss Lee noted that several children had runny noses when she conducted her morning health checks. None of the children seemed to have a fever or to be acutely ill so she did not see any reason to send them home. One of the mothers mentioned that her older son had been home with the “flu” earlier in the week and that several children in his third-grade classroom were currently out sick.

Miss Lee continued to observe the children throughout the morning. When they awoke from their afternoon nap, she noticed that two of the children who had had runny noses when they arrived now felt quite warm. She immediately checked their temperature and discovered that one child had a temperature of 100°F (38°C) and the other had a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C). Both children were clutching their blankets and reluctant to get up. The school’s exclusion policy stated that children with a temperature over 100°F (37.8°C) would be sent home.

Prepare a two-paragraph essay in which you discuss the pros and cons of excluding children who have a runny nose and low-grade fever from school based on what you have learned in this chapter. Consider the incubation period, communicability, complications, and method of spread. Outline a plan that Miss Lee can implement to limit the spread of a respiratory infection in her classroom

Answer 1

Excluding children who have a runny nose and low grade fever, looking at the bright side this is always the best option to prevent any disease from spreading in the classroom. As most of the infections with a running nose are infectious there is a high chance for it to spread in the classroom. So it is necessary to exclude such children inorder to keep other children safe.

At the same time some may oresent with a running nose and low grade fever which may be due to polyps in nose. Excluding them makes the class have a negative view on the child and may hurt his or her feelings. It may also produce unnecessary tension in the classroom. Students should also get adapted to the concept of herd immunity which keeps them safe from infective organisms in the future.

The incubation period of flu(influenza) is usually 2 days but can vary from 1 to 4 days. In order to limit the spread of respiratory infection ;

• she should educate the students to avoid close contact with the sick children.
• They should be sent home immediately.
• Students should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing as it spreads through air.
• Wash hands often
• avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth

As flu is easily transferred from one individual to another, it is better to take vaccine which can partly prevent it. Miss lee should also report the situation to the higher authorities and get the classroom cleaned as soon as possible.