Health Information Portal (HIP)

Schools & Childcare

The prevention and control of communicable diseases in schools and childcare settings are essential to maintaining and improving the public health. Below are public health resources and guidance for use by healthcare professionals working in schools or childcare facilities.

Guidelines

Guidelines for the Control of Communicable Disease Among School Children (Yellowbook) - Updated: September, 2018 (PDF)

• Updates to the Yellowbook are currently underway. In the interim, please call 215-685-6740 during business hours (M-F, 8:30am-5:00pm) and press 5 to speak with PDPH staff about disease-specific guidance for schools and childcare settings.

Special Reporting Instructions for Schools and Childcare

For schools and nurses affiliated with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), please refer to the Interagency Protocol between the School District of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health when reporting a disease or condition.

Whenever a school hears of a possible special situation, regardless of the source, the school will:

• Notify the School Nurse or, if the School Nurse is not available, the SDP Health Services.
• The School Nurse will gather all relevant information and contact the PDPH.
• The School Nurse will notify SDP Health Services.
• Cases must be discussed with the PDPH before any action is taken by school staff. PDPH will recommend appropriate clinical and communications guidance.

Infection Control

• Handwashing Posters
• CDC Clean Hands and Spaces: Handwashing and Cleaning in Educational Facilities
• Influenza (Flu) Disease Information Page

Resources

• PDPH Bed Bugs FAQ (PDF)
• CDC About Bed Bugs
• PADOH Head Lice Recommendations
• CDC About Head Lice

PDPH Fight the Bite and Stop Ticks Flyer
Grades K-5 (PDF) | Grades 6-8 (PDF) | Grades 9-12 (PDF)

Disease-specific Guidance

• CDC About the Common Cold
• CDC Ear Infection Basics
• CDC Cold Versus Flu
• PDPH School Guidelines for MRSA (PDF)

The following disease and condition pages have guidance posted specific to schools and childcare facilities:

• Influenza Disease Information Page
• Norovirus Disease Information Page
  Explore other diseases and conditions.