Schools inherently foster the transmission of infections from person to person because they are a group setting in which people are in close contact and share supplies and equipment. But, schools also can be instrumental in keeping their communities healthy by
- Encouraging sick students and staff to stay home and seek medical attention for severe illness.
- Facilitating hand hygiene by supplying soap and paper towels and teaching good hand hygiene practices.
- Being vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting classroom materials and surfaces.
- Providing messages in daily announcements about preventing infectious disease.
- Adopting healthy practices such as safe handling of food and use of standard precautions when handling body fluids and excretions.
- Encouraging students and staff to get annual influenza vaccinations.
-CDC.gov
Local Organizations
University of Chicago Infection Prevention Outreach
Health4Chicago: At-School Immunizations
University of Chicago Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Healthy Chicago
Chicago Department of Public Health
Reportable diseases can be reported to: Enrique.Ramirez@cityofchicago.org
Cook County Department of Public Health
Pediatric HIV resources
University of Chicago Adoption Clinic
Local Guidelines
HealthWise- Cook County Dept of Public Health
IDPH guidelines for school nurses (general)
IDPH Chronic Infectious Diseases in School Children
Illinois Reportable diseases
Illinois Law: EpiPens in Schools
CDC Reccomendations: Norovirus in Schools 2011
IL Child Health Exam Form
Fact Sheets for Parents
Head Lice
Influenza
MRSA
Pertussis
Viral Gastroenteritis
Fifth Disease
Fact Sheets for Teachers
Head Lice
Influenza
MRSA
Pertussis
Viral Gastroenteritis
Fifth Disease
Vaccinations
School-based Immunization Clinics
The Pink Book
Destination Vaccination Guide
National Vaccine Plan 2010
Promoting HPV Vaccine in Schools
Mobile Apps
Vaccine Record for Travelers
Is it Contagious?
Influenza
Common Questions about Swine Flu: Part I
Common Questions about Swine Flu: Part II
Flu RSS Aggregator
H1N1 School Guidance
Additional Resources
The Yellow Book: Traveler’s Health
Pump The Pump (Hand Hygiene video for kids)
CDC Adolescent and School Health
Dr. Bartlett speaks on Cronobacter sakazakii in Enfamil
SCRATCH: School and Community Resources to Avoid and Control Head Lice (from NASN)
Dr. Alexander’s interview on HPV Vaccine Stigma
Chronic Disease Resources
Allergies
Asthma
Bullying at School
Child Abuse
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Let’s Move Campaign
Mental Health
Nutrition
Obesity
Smoking Cessation
Suicide prevention
Teen pregnancy & prevention
Violence in Chicago