Too Sick for School?

So... what if it is almost time to send your youngster to school and they say that they feel sick? How do you decide to keep your child home from school?

Consider using these guidelines...

• A temperature over 100.5 F. (Remember that Tylenol, Motrin, etc. can mask the effects of a fever). Try to take your child's temperature before you give fever-reducing medicine. They must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
• Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea. Also, they must not have had vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
• A severe cold with fever, sneezing, and thickening nasal discharge (especially for younger children, who do not remember to cover their mouth or wash their hands).
• A cough that keeps a child awake at night, worsens with increased activity, or is combined with other symptoms.
• A persistent red sore throat, especially if the tonsils are enlarged.
• A severe persistent earache.
• Redness in the whites of the eyes, yellow eye discharge and matted lashes are symptoms of conjunctivitis (pinkeye). A doctor should be consulted for treatment as this is highly contagious.
• Rashes can be difficult to evaluate. If they are all over the body, blistery, oozing, or painful, they could be a sign of a contagious infection, such as chicken pox. Please consider checking with your child's doctor or the school nurse before you send your child to school.

Remember, the suggestions above should be considered a guide! If you are still unsure whether to send your child to school, please call your physician or the school nurse for further guidance.