When should my child stay home?

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Symptom by symptom, here are some guidelines to help you decide.

Fever

If your child's temperature is 100 degrees or higher, keep your child at home. While at home, encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids. Your child should be fever-free for 24 hours (without medicine) before returning to school.

DO NOT USE ASPIRIN OR MEDICATIONS CONTAINING ASPIRIN FOR YOUR CHILD. Click here for information about Reyes Syndrome.

Mild Cough/Runny Nose

If there is no fever and the child feels fairly good, school is fine. Please have your child use good hand washing.

Bad Cough/Cold Symptoms

Children with bad coughs need to stay home, and possibly see a doctor. It could be a severe cold or possibly bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. But when the cough improves, and the child is feeling better, then it's back to school. Don't wait for the cough to disappear entirely -- that could take a week or longer! Please call your doctor for directions about a bad cough for cold.

Diarrhea or Vomiting

Keep your child home until the illness is over, and for 24 hours after the last episode (without medicine). While at home encourage your child to drink clear liquids and always call your doctor if the vomiting or diarrhea continues for several hours or for one day or when in doubt call your physician.

Sore Throat

A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset. Keep your child home from school, and contact a doctor. Your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat. He or she can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins.

Earache

The child needs to see a doctor.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Keep the child home until a doctor has given the OK to return to school. Pink Eye is highly contagious and most cases are caused by a virus, which will not respond to an antibiotic. Bacterial conjunctivitis will require an antibiotic; your doctor will be able to determine if this is the case. More on Pink Eye.

Rash

Children with a skin rash should see a doctor, as this could be one of several infectious diseases. One possibility is impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that is very contagious and requires antibiotic treatment. Also, fifth disease is a contagious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes; it's no longer contagious by the time rash appears.

Health Suggestion while at school:

  • Do not eat or drink after others.
  • WASH - Remember to wash your hands.

Taken from the WebMD website: By Jeanie Lerche Davis
Reviewed By Cynthia Haines, MD