Infections in Child-care Facilities and Schools

• Based on strong research evidence, children in group settings may reflect or cause outbreaks of infectious diseases within their community. (3)(4)(7)(17) • Based on strong research evidence, preventive measures have been demonstrated to decrease significantly the occurrence of infections in schools and child-care facilities. These measures include universal vaccination and meticulous attention to standard precautions (especially hand hygiene). (3)(8)(9)(20) • In addition to preventive measures, based on some research evidence, postexposure interventions have proven to interrupt infection risks to susceptible children, staff, and their contacts. The necessary postexposure actions are based on the individual infectious agent, hosts' susceptibilities, and group and community settings and may involve active or passive immunizations, antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment, cohorting of ill individuals, or exclusion from the group. (3)(4)(7)(8)(10) • Everyone involved in the care of children has a role in assuring that child care and school attendance pose as few health risks as possible. Copyright © 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.