Runny Noses and Covid-19

Parents teachers and staff are all trying to understand Runny noses and its connection with C0vid-19. A Runny nose is very common in our Early Head Start and our Head Start Children.

Yes. A runny nose is one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

We have been especially careful to keep children with signs of COVID-19 away from other children and staff. But what do we do about a runny nose?

Causes of a runny nose

Allergies/ Sinuses

Asthma

Sign of an infectious illness

Common cold

Flu

COVID-19.

There is no single cause for a runny nose.

Does a child with a runny nose need to stay home?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a child with a runny nose who was playful and able to participate would not have to stay at home. Our main concern is reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 to children, families and staff who are not yet fully vaccinated or cannot wear a mask.

So, a child with a runny nose may need to stay home to protect the unmasked and unvaccinated in your center.

 Tips for managing runny noses……

• Check your child in the morning before school drop off to ensure they are well and this will prevent any inconvenience to you to have to pick up your child or make arrangements for childcare.
• If your child has allergies, asthma, etc. Get a note from your physician to keep in your child’s file.
• If you cannot get a note, please have your child tested for Covid-19 before bringing the child to the center to prevent any spread of illness. Please submit results to the center manager.

Remember, always keep your child home if they are sick or if you are seeing changes in your child’s health, please contact your healthcare provider immediately for guidance. Our goal is to keep our Matrix Head Start children, families and staff safe and healthy!

Warmest Regards,

Your School Nurse!