SICK CHILDREN….Send or stay home?
Guidelines for Parents
Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make.
When trying to decide, use the guidelines below and seek the advice of your doctor.
Guidelines for Parents
Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make.
When trying to decide, use the guidelines below and seek the advice of your doctor.
GO to school--- If your child has any of the following symptoms, they should probably go to
school.
• sniffles, a mild runny nose with minimal drainage, mild cough without a fever
• vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue
STAY at home--If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home
or make a doctor’s appointment. Please note, there may be many more health issues which would merit exclusion.
These are the most common:
school.
• sniffles, a mild runny nose with minimal drainage, mild cough without a fever
• vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue
STAY at home--If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home
or make a doctor’s appointment. Please note, there may be many more health issues which would merit exclusion.
These are the most common:
- CHICKEN POX (Varicella): Chicken pox blisters appear in crops and are infectious until ALL blisters are dried and crusted over (usually 5-6 days after start of rash). Keep child home until no longer contagious.
- COLDS: A runny nose is not necessarily cause to keep your child home. Keep them home with a runny nose AND a fever, bad cough, headache or nausea, or if the child is too tired or too uncomfortable to function at school.
- DIARRHEA: Keep children home for persistent watery stools, especially if the child looks or acts ill. Persistent diarrhea accompanied by fever and cramps should be evaluated by your health care provider.
- EARS: Drainage from the ear and/or ear pain should be evaluated by your health care provider.
- EYES: Thick mucus, pus, or clear liquid draining from the eye may be contagious. One or both eyes may also appear extremely red and feel irritated, itchy, or painful. The eyelid may be swollen and the eye may be sensitive to light. Return to school when the drainage and symptoms have cleared. You may need to get a prescription for eye drops from your health care provider.
- FEVER: A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Stay home for a temperature of 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within the last 24 hours.
- FRACTURE, SURGERY or INJURY: Please notify the school nurse for evaluation of any modifications to physical activity, length of day or mobility needs. You may be asked to provide written information from your health care provider regarding limitations and special needs.
- LICE or SCABIES: Please notify the school nurse if your child has head lice or scabies. Noted infestation of lice or scabies must be treated before returning to school.
- NASAL DISCHARGE and/or CHRONIC COUGH: These conditions may be contagious and may require treatment from your physician. Your child should be seen by your health care provider for evaluation if symptoms also include fever and a large amount of mucous drainage or wheezing.
- RASH: Any skin rash of unknown cause may be contagious or require medical treatment, especially with fever and itching. Consult with your health care provider. You may be asked to present a medical note from your physician stating that the rash is not contagious.
- SORE THROAT: A sore throat, especially with a fever or swollen neck glands may be contagious. Consult with your health care provider and if infected, please notify the school nurse.
- VOMITING: An ill child who is vomiting should remain home for 24 hours after vomiting and until the child has tolerated at least two normal meals. If related to a head injury, a vomitting child should be seen by a physician. Please report the head injury to the school nurse.
