Too Sick for School

Is Your Child Too Sick for School?

 

A sniffle. A cough. A sore throat. Children come down with illnesses big and small. Some are contagious, but some aren’t.

How do you know when to keep your child home from school?

  • A temperature of 100 degrees or more within the past 24 hours 

  • Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours

  • A positive throat culture for strep: the student should be on antibiotic treatment for 24 hours before returning to school

  • A fever accompanied by body aches and flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose or persistent cough.

  • A red-eye with crust, mucous or excessive tearing (until diagnosed by a physician and treated with medication for 24 hours if conjunctivitis (pink eye))

  • If your child requires any medication stronger than Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain

Parents should consider:

A sick child who returns to school too soon is at risk of contracting other infections due to lowered immunity.

A child who is still sick is likely to infect other students and staff.

Remind your child about frequent hand washing.  It is the most effective means of preventing the spread of communicable diseases. 

Communicable diseases

Please notify your school if your child develops any communicable conditions such as Strep Throat, Chicken Pox, Pinworm, Impetigo (Skin Lesion with honey-brown crusts), Pertussis, COVID, or any other communicable disease. 

Please contact your physician for further evaluation or questions.