Know the Difference Between Cold and Flu
Please keep in mind that every case is different - these are meant only to be general guidelines and should never take the place of a professsional health care provider.
Fever - rare with a cold
common with the flu
Coughing - hacking, productive cough is common with the cold
non-productive dry cough associated with flu
Aches - slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold
severe aches and pains are common with the flu
Stuffy Nose - common with the cold, typically resolves w/in a week
not usually present with the flu
Chills - not common with the cold
majority of people with flu also experience chills
Tiredness - fairly mild with the cold
moderate to severe with the flu
Sneezing - commonly present with the cold
not usual with flu
Sudden Onset of Symptoms - cold symptoms tend to evolve over days
flu has rapid onset and hits hard
Headache - not usually associated with cold
very common with flu
Sore Throat - common with cold
not commonly present with the flu
Chest Discomfort - mild to moderate with the cold
often severe with the flu
Common Childhood Disease Information and Recommended Exclusionary Time Frames
Please observe your child every day before sending him/her to school. Children who are ill should recuperate at home.
Chicken Pox
Fever and itchy rash that turns to blisters, then scabs
Incubation: 10 to 21 days
Highly Communicable
Exclusion until blisters have scabbed,
Not less than 5 days from last blister
Cold
Hacking Cough, runny nose, sneezing
Incubation: Varies
Communicable
Exclusion until symptom free
Fever
Exclusion until fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medication
Flu
Fever, non-productive cough, aches and pains, headache, difficulty breathing
Incubation: Varies
Communicable
Exclusion until fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medication
Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosium)
Rash on face appears as “slapped cheek”, lace rash on trunk and extremities. Especially dangerous to pregnant women, contact physician
Incubation: 4 to 20 days
Communicable before rash appears
Exclusion not necessary
Impetigo
Blisters or open sore on skin.
Incubation: 4 to 10 days
Communicable while open or draining
Exclusion until physican’s note is submitted
Pink Eye (Bacterial Conjunctivitis)
Pink/Redness of eyes, itching, discharge, light sensitivity, and/or eye pain
Incubation: 1 to 3 days
Highly Communicable
Exclusion until 24 hours after treatment begins or physician’s note is submitted
Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever
Sudden onset of sore throat, fever and/or vomiting.
Red throat with white patches.
Scarlet fever also displays symptoms of rash to throat and trunk.
Incubation: 1 to 3 days
Communicable for 24 to 48 hours
Exclusion until symptom free
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