When is a Child To Sick To Go To School?
Most children get sick from time to time. Health experts say sending a
sick child to school may prolong the illness and possibly spread an infection
to classmates. Sometimes the need to stay home is obvious. When the
symptoms are less obvious, it can be hard to know when to keep a child
at home, and for how long. As a general rule, children should stay at
home who have a fever (100 degrees or higher), or if they are experiencing
nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, persistent pain such as a headache or
ear ache, wide spread rash, or serious cough. Some health experts recommend
that children with a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting stay home for 24
hours after symptoms have cleared.
Usually there is no need to keep children home with a cough or runny
nose without fever, unless the child is too uncomfortable to make it through
the day. Children who do not feel well or are tired are probably better off
staying home and resting. Some schools have guidelines for parents who
are not sure if their child should be in school. If the school has guidelines,
check with them first before sending a child to class only to find out that
more time at home is required.