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My goal is to be a source of support for the students in achieving a positive school experience. Please feel free to contact me for any health related issues.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018


Westford Public Schools
School Health Services
Management of Students with Head Lice
Background:
Head Lice or Pediculosis Capitis is an insect the approximate size of a sesame seed that requires a human host to survive. Head lice is often detected on the human scalp by the presence of adult lice or nits attached to the hair shaft.  Infestation is common among children ages 3-12 years old. Head lice does not spread disease. Head lice cannot hop, jump or fly; they crawl. Head lice are primarily spread by close personal contact which occurs in homes, sleep overs, and camps. Head lice is primarily spread within the family/households.
Procedure:
At the beginning of each school year, parents will receive information from the Board of Health on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice.
Parents will be encouraged to conduct routine head checks on their children to prevent the spread of head lice.
A student that exhibits signs and symptoms of head lice should be evaluated by the school nurse educator.
If the school nurse educator finds evidence of live head lice the student will be dismissed to get treated. Siblings of student’s in the school system will also be examined.
Student Returning to School:
If live louse was found, the student will be rechecked prior to their return to school.
Children found to have nits are allowed to come to school, although children with adult live lice need treatment before they return to school.
The school nurse educator will determine, based on evaluation, the re-admittance and monitoring of the student upon their return to school.
Head lice are inconvenient but they do not spread disease. Research does not support the practice of wide or classroom wide “head checks”, exclusion of infested children, or a no nit policy. School is an unlikely source of transmission. It is encouraged that parents/guardians check their child’s hair regularly for evidence of head lice. Every family member should be checked if head lice is found in your child. If you need assistance checking for head lice please contact the schools nurse educator.
Reviewed by Westford Public Nurse Educators and the Health Director for the Town of Westford Health Department.
Adopted September 2015

References:
Frankowski, B., Weiner, L., Committee on School Health; and the Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2010). Clinical report-Head lice. Pediatrics, 126(2), 392-403.
Pontius, Deborah J., MSN, RN, NCSN. (2014). Demystifying Pediculosis: School Nurses Taking the Lead. Pediatric Nursing, 40(5). 226-235.
Sheetz, A.H. & Goodman, I. F. (Eds.) (2007). The Comprehensive School Health Manual. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015). AAP Updates Treatment for Head Lice. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Treatments-for-Head-Lice.aspx
 American Academy of Pediatric. Healthychildren.org. (2015). Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know. Retrieved from http://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions http://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Head lice information for schools. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gove/parasites/lice/head/schools.html
National Association of School Nurse (NASN). (2011). Position Statement: Pediculosis in the school settings. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullView/tabid/462/ArticleId/40/Pediculosis-Management-in-the-School-Setting-Revised-2011
Park, A. (2010). Report: Head Lice is No Reason to Keep Kids Out of School. Time. Retrieved http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2006397,00.html?xid=rss-topstories