Report: Lice no reason for absence
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 27, 2015 1:46 PM
The condition might be uncomfortable, a nuisance or an embarrassment, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, head lice are not a reason to keep kids home from school.
In an updated clinical report by the AAP in the May issue of "Pediatrics," there are safe and effective methods for treating the condition but an otherwise healthy child should not be restricted from attending school because of head lice or nits (eggs).
The national organization is discouraging "no nit policies" by school districts, suggesting they are unjust and should be abandoned.
"Children can finish the school day, be treated and return to school," the report said.
Dr. Dave Tayloe, president of Goldsboro Pediatrics and former president of the AAP from 2008-09, agrees.
"We try really hard to downplay lice," he said. "It's a social problem. I have never seen complications of lice that had anything to do with your health."
Wayne County Public Schools had its first reading of Policy 4271, "Head Lice Policy," at last month's meeting and is expected to vote on it Monday night.
The protocol followed in the policy is to notify parents immediately if live lice are found, to provide information and directions on inspection and treatment. A letter is also sent home with further instructions about returning to school.
"Students should not be absent more than two days for head lice treatment," the policy states.
Upon return, the student will be rechecked to ensure live lice are no longer present, before being allowed to return to class. If any are found, "the student will not be allowed to stay at school," it reads.
Allison Pridgen, executive director for administrative services, said the policy was developed by the state-mandated local School Health Advisory Council, made up of community health professionals, and is intended to give parents and schools a clear direction on how to address the "social nuisance."
"It is important to note that Board of Education Policy 4271 is aligned with both the National Association of School Nurses and the American Academy of Pediatrics in that students will be allowed to remain in school if they are found to have the presence of nits," she said. "However, this policy maintains a local position to send students home from school who are infested with live lice in order to receive appropriate treatment and to prevent further threats of spread to other students.
"Students will be allowed to immediately return once live lice are no longer present."
The topic raised questions by the Board of Education in January, after board members were contacted by parents concerned that they were not notified about cases of head lice at Grantham School. After Christmas break, 10 cases were reported in different grades and classrooms at the school.
Letters were sent home making parents aware of the situation and encouraging them to check their child and other family members for head lice.
Dr. Tayloe said that the intent of physicians and the AAP is to alleviate fears and to educate parents on the subject.
In his office, cases are documented under a microscope, he said, and he recommends a prescription or over-the-counter remedy. He is also willing to send a note to school saying the child can return to class.
"I really hate to see kids miss instructional time because of this thing," he said, placing head lice in the same category as other "minor medical issues" like pink eye, strep throat and diarrhea.
"(At a workshop recently) we went through some of those minor medical problems that often result in absenteeism that probably should not, and lice is right in there, and scabies. These are social problems we often struggle to get completely clear because they're all relatively contagious," he said. "We'll see these migrate through a classroom and through a family.
"It's not like influenza or meningitis that'll put you in the hospital. We just need to put it in the proper perspective -- 'Yeah, you've got it. It's not going to cause any problems with morbidity.'"
Dr. Tayloe also differs in his approach to publicizing issues like head lice.
"I personally wouldn't send out letters," he said. "It's kind of like HIV. Everybody got up in arms about HIV. You've got these approved standards called universal precautions. Everybody's supposed to wash their hands and wear gloves.
"I just don't think telling parents there's a child in your classroom with lice -- I'd almost bet the farm that I could write a note for any school or classroom in Wayne County, without even going out there, (that there are children with lice). I personally wouldn't add to the hype. I'd try to downplay the importance of this as opposed to children staying home."
Mrs. Pridgen said the district is committed to educating its students while also educating parents on the prevention of a "social nuisance" like head lice.
"We hope Board of Education Policy 4271 helps alleviate unnecessary concerns, while also addressing the fears, concerns and challenges that can arise for parents who have an infested child and for parents who have a child in the same classroom," she said.