When to keep your child home from school

It's 6:30 on Tuesday morning and your child gets up saying "I don't feel good." How do you decide whether to send him to school or keep him home? It's not an exact science, but the guidelines below will help.

1. Take your child's temperature. Though a child may not have a fever and still be sick, a temperature of 100 or over is a sure sign to keep your child home. Giving a fever reducer and sending him to school will almost guarantee a call from school when the medicine wears off, as well as exposing other students to whatever your child has.

2. If your child has been vomiting or having diarrhea during the previous evening or night, please keep him home. Consult his doctor if symptoms continue more than 48 hours or worsen instead of improving.

3. A blistery rash, especially if accompanied by fever and a history of exposure, may be chicken pox. Keep your child home until you know for sure. If it is chicken pox, he will need to stay home until all areas are scabbed, usually 6-7 days.

4. Keep your child home if he has heavy nasal congestion and/or frequent cough. He probably feels miserable and will not learn much, as well as sharing his virus with others.

5. If your child is diagnosed with a contagious disease, such as strep, he should be on prescribed antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.

It's often difficult to tell how sick your child is. If he stays home and improves, you can always take him to school. Be sure that the school has current telephone numbers to reach you at all times in case your child becomes ill or injured. School is important, but sick children need to be at home.

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Last update: 2/20/2004 4:01:44 PM