GUIDELINES FOR KEEPING SICK CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL
by Gwen Kinney, School Nurse
November 20, 2007
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. Keeping him home may protect him from further infection and avoid spreading the illness to other students. It also allows the child the opportunity to rest and recover.
The following guidelines should be considered when making the decision:
Ø Fever – if your child’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher, he should remain at home. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).
Ø 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.
Ø Flu – If your child catches the flu, keep him/her home until symptoms (body aches, high fever, chills, congestion, sore throat and/or vomiting) subside.
Ø Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye – Following a diagnosis of pink eye, the child can return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication or when a physician certifies him non-infectious.
Ø Mononucleosis – Keep at home until fever free and able to resume normal activities.
Ø Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever – Your child is not contagious after he’s been on physician-prescribed antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
Ø 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.
Remember the three keys to preventing illness:
1. Teach your child to wash his hands thoroughly and often and to use waterless hand cleanser when water isn’t available.
2. Give him disposable tissues; remind him to use and discard them.
3. Discourage him from sharing food, plates, cups or utensils.
GUIDELINES FOR KEEPING SICK CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL
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