SHOULD YOU KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
Will your child get others sick?
Most likely
YES!
Just a reminder that we do have children at school with health issues--please think about others before sending a sick child to school. Children need rest at home to fully recover.
Can your child participate in the activities at school?
Kids come to school to learn. If your child is so uncomfortable, sleepy or otherwise distracted that he wouldn't be able to get anything out of school, it's better to keep her home.
FEVER
: A child with a fever (99.8 or higher) is not only considered contagious, but he's also probably not feeling well enough to learn or participate. Keep your child home until he is fever-free for 24 hours
without
the use of medicine and is feeling like his usual self.
GI:
If your child has vomited, he must stay home for 24 hours. Also, please don't automatically send your child back once the vomiting stops. If she's not better, call the doctor. Any stomach ache associated with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, decrease in energy warrants a trip to the pediatrician. A good rule is she must be able to eat 2 regular meals without vomiting before returning to school.
EYES
: If his eye is stuck shut, bright red, and/or oozing yellow or green discharge he should stay home. These symptoms all indicate the highly contagious bacterial form of pinkeye (conjunctivitis), and the child should stay out of school until he's been on antibiotics for 24 hours and the goopiness dries up.
THROAT
: If the achy throat is accompanied by swollen glands, a fever, headache or stomach ache, bring him to the doctor for a strep test, Children with strep MUST be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and be able to swallow and eat before returning to school.
COUGH/COLD
: Your child must stay home if he has a persistent, phlegmy cough, a persistent runny nose and seems cranky or lethargic.
RASH
: Rashes can be caused by all kinds of things. Some are contagious and some aren't. In general, a child whose only symptom is a rash is okay to go to school. If you're unsure, call your pediatrician.
FIFTHS DISEASE:
This is a viral infection common in preschoolers that can cause fever, rash (usually a "slapped-cheek" appearance) and sometimes joint pain or other symptoms. In most healthy children, it resolves without major problems. The rash tends to show up late, after kids are no longer contagious. So if they've had it long enough to figure out that they have it, anybody who was going to get it already has it.
HAND, FOOT & MOUTH
: A very common viral infection that is not usually serious. Typically, there are blisters in and around the mouth, the palms of hands and soles of the feet. Children may not come to school if they cannot swallow and/or have a fever.
Still not sure? Call your pediatrician or school nurse (508-647-6400 x1632))
Thank you for helping to keep everyone at school healthy!
