How do you deal with 5th disease and rashes at your school?

[NurseAlice]

You all helped me out so well last time I decided to come back! So... I have been getting a lot of students come to the clinic with red cheeks, arms, and legs. A few students who I sent home were confirmed to have the 5th disease virus (slapped cheek). As we know, the lacy rash is the only way to tell if a child has had the disease, and by the time you see it they are no longer contagious. The best I can do is identify classes or siblings of students with the tell-tale rash in hopes of preventing it from spreading. We do have a few teachers/staff who are pregnant (including myself ? ), but our principal already had us go and get blood work done.

Since this occurrence, a lot of teachers have been sending students with rashes down fearing that they may have the disease. I have explained that there if there are no other symptoms (fever/flu-like), they are likely no longer contagious. Though I do notify their parents, should I still send the students home at this point? Our school handbook is very vague with rashes. As long as the rash is not accompanied by fever, excessive itching, or drainage/open areas, I assumed they are OK to remain at school. I sometimes have a hard time calling skin problems when I see them.

How do you deal with 5th disease and rashes at your school?

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I follow the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines which states "No exclusion unless febrile or other symptoms meeting illness exclusion criteria are present."

[mainecoonRN92, BSN, RN]

Same as above!

[tining, BSN, RN]

That Maine coon is adorbs!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

On 1/8/2020 at 3:20 PM, BiscuitRN said:

I follow the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines which states "No exclusion unless febrile or other symptoms meeting illness exclusion criteria are present."

This. We don't diagnose and skin stuff can also feel a bit like a guessing game, even with years of experience for me so I follow my state guidelines which are the same as IL.

But staff seem to think I'm an expert at the "name that rash!" game...

[NurseAlice]

Ok great! That helps keep things simple. It's true we do not diagnose, but sometimes people still think I should be doing more than I am. This is where those policies come in. I'm getting better at not caving into peer pressure, but I just wanted to be sure I was on the right track. Sometimes I wish I had another person in here with me. ?

[nursetlm, ADN]

As I cannot diagnose- any rash must be sent home until the rash is gone- or a doctor's note stating child can be at school. We've had so many cases of this as well as strep. (Presenting with rash only- no sore throat.) This has made it almost impossible to tell them apart. LOL

If a sibling of a confirmed case gets the same rash a few days later- obviously I do not require a note.

21 hours ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

But staff seem to think I'm an expert at the "name that rash!" game...

Haha, my husband is an allergist and he HATES rashes. He will walk into a room and they shove some weird rash in his face and he's like- why aren't you seeing a dermatologist???

[Purple036, LVN]

Our policy is the same per Texas Health Department.

No exclusion unless with fever.

[Just me.]

Don't feel badly about not knowing the rashes. Ive seen many a. ED doctor looking up rashes. I only know 1 NP that can usually id at a glance. Great advice given to follow policy.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I stink at Name That Rash.

Follow the district or Health Department guidance.

[ChristmasNurse]

I sent some kids home this week....sort of. I called to give parents the heads up and they decided to come get them.