Illness Prevention

Respiratory Virus Prevention Strategies (from the CDC, 3/2024)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)

Get important information on preventing transmission of RSV, plus symptoms and tips on care, here: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html. The need for handwashing, cough etiquette, cleaning and disinfecting of frequently shared objects or surfaces is critical. 

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

This is an opportunity to review your family’s immunizations as it relates to Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Ideally, children have already received five Pertussis vaccines, and children, adolescents over age 11, and adults a booster. Please discuss the matter of immunization with your private medical provider if anyone in your home, including you:
  • will have contact with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers
  • has never received Pertussis vaccination,
  • has not completed the full series,
  • has an immune deficiency,
  • has a serious chronic medical condition,
  • is pregnant

If you have any questions about your family’s health or immunizations, please contact your private physician. The County Health Department’s Immunization Clinic is also a resource for questions about immunizations. If you have any reason to suspect that your children may have Pertussis, please do not send them to school until you have discussed the matter with your private physician. Please alert your private physician of the presence of health department confirmed Pertussis in our building. Children with Health Department confirmed Pertussis require five full days of antibiotic therapy before they may be in school. Your children’s teacher(s) can assist you with arranging for missed schoolwork if any of your children feel up to doing homework while they are out ill.

Please contact the County Health Department Immunization Clinic if you have specific concerns that the resources below do not address.

Measles

Measles is a highly  contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus and is spread by  contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles can  lead to serious side effects and, in rare cases, death or spontaneous  abortions in pregnant women. Measles symptoms usually appear in  10-12 days after exposure, but can occur as late as 18 days after  exposure. Symptoms generally appear in two stages. In the first  stage, which lasts two to four days, the individual may have a runny  nose, cough and a slight fever. Eyes may become reddened and sensitive  to light while the fever gradually rises each day, often peaking as high  as 103° to 105° F. Small bluish white spots surrounded by a reddish  area may also appear on the gums and inside of the cheeks. The  second stage begins on the third to seventh day and consists of a red  blotchy rash lasting five to six days. The rash usually begins on the  face and then spreads downward and outward, reaching the hands and feet.  The rash fades in the same order that it appeared, from head to  extremities. 

Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease,  it can be contracted at any age. Individuals are not at risk of  contracting measles if they are immune. A person is considered immune  if they have received two doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)  vaccine, OR if they were born before Jan. 1, 1957, OR have a history of  laboratory-confirmed measles, OR have a blood test confirming immunity.  Unimmunized individuals, including adults, should contact their private  health care providers to check on their immunization status. Anyone who  believes they might have been exposed, especially pregnant women, should  contact their private health care providers. The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated.

Link to New York State Department of Health - Measles Facts

Link to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Measles

Enterovirus D-68

Poster with tips for keeping your child from getting enterovirus. It is important to use good respiratory precautions with ill children, to remind children about respiratory etiquette, good hand washing, and the importance of not sharing personal items.


Enterovirus D-68 is a viral illness that causes mild to severe respiratory illness and at this time, no specific treatment or anti-viral medication exists. Some possible symptoms of EV-D68 are a fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and body aches. Reminding your children about hand washing and covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing are the best defense. If a child is ill with a fresh upper respiratory illness, please do not send the child to school, but allow them to rest and recover at home.

The Centers for Disease Control has posted helpful information to learn more about this particular virus. Click any of the links below to visit the CDC and learn more information about enterovirus. As with any medical condition, contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Link to the NYS Dept of Health Website:

NYS Department of Health Confirms Cases of Serious Respiratory Virus