Is Your Child Too Sick for School?

Each day many parents are faced with a decision: should they keep their sick children at home or send them off to school? Often the way a child looks and acts can make the decision an obvious one. The following guidelines should be considered when making the decision:

·        Fever.  The child should remain at home with a temperature equal to or greater than 38.0 ºC or 100.4 ºF.  The child can return to school after he/she has been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Advil).

·        Colds.  Consider keeping your child at home if he/she is experiencing discomfort from cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion and cough. A continuous green discharge from the nose may be a sign of infection. Consider having the child seen by your health care provider.

·        Diarrhea/Vomiting.  A child with diarrhea and /or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.

·        Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye). Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.

·        Rashes. Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with an unexplained rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.

·        Lice.  A child with lice is not permitted at school.  If your child has lice, please treat him or her and notify the school.  Your child may return to school once treatment has begun.

There will be times when it is difficult to tell when your child is too ill to go to school. Sometimes there is worry that he or she will miss important schoolwork, or perfect attendance.   Like adults, children have different tolerances for discomfort and illness. Even with the common cold, some are able to function without difficulty while others are miserable. A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child opportunity to rest and recover.