TISD POLICY
Student Illness
STUDENT ILLNESS & COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
The Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) is the local public health authority for
government agencies. HCPHES directs the standards for communicable diseases as set by the Texas Administrative
Code which is ruled by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Legislative Government.
The major criterion for exclusion from attendance is the probability of spreading an illness or condition from person to
person. HCPHES along with The American Academy of Pediatrics have set standards for exclusion from school and
readmission to school. Tomball Independent School District complies with those standards.
When to Keep Child Home from School or When Child Will be Sent Home:


Fever with an oral temperature of 100.0 degrees F or greater.
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Diarrhea or stools that contain blood or mucus.
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Vomiting two or more times in 24 hours, unless a physician feels the cause of vomiting is not an infectious
disease and the child is in no danger of becoming dehydrated (note required).

Mouth sores and drooling until a physician or the health authority does not feel the condition is infectious
(note required).

A rash or a change in behavior until a physician has determined that the problem is not caused by an
infectious disease (note required).

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) that includes red, irritated eyes with discharge or crusting around the eyes.
Signs of severe illness, including fever, irritability, difficulty breathing, crying that doesn’t stop with the usual
comforting, or extreme sleepiness.
When Child May Return to School:

After fever subsides for 24 hours without antipyretics (fever reducing medications such as Tylenol,
Advil, etc.)

After diarrhea subsides for 24 hours without anti-diarrhea medication.

After vomiting subsides for 24 hours without anti-vomiting medication.

With physician’s note that appropriate treatment has begun and student’s condition is not infectious.