Sometimes knowing when and when not to keep your child home from school when they are feeling ill is difficult. If a child goes to school while ill, they not only risk having a miserable day and poor learning experience, but their classmates may also catch their illness. Knowing when to keep your child home from school isn’t just good parenting, it’s considerate. Here are a few common symptoms that may indicate whether your kid needs to stay home from school.
Coughing
Everyone can have a mild cough every now and then, so how can you tell if coughing is severe enough for a child to stay home? There is no clear rule to measure coughing, but if you feel the coughing is severe and intense, you might consider having your child stay home, however, it’s best to look for other symptoms as well (Some children are great at faking it.) Coughs can last up to 18 days, so when your child’s cough begins to improve, they are ready to go back to their normal academic routine.
Diarrhea
I’m sure parents don’t need much explanation on this one. We’ve all been there. If your child has diarrhea, they should stay home. They may have a stomach bug or could be responding poorly to antibiotics. If your child’s stool appears bloody, talk to a doctor immediately.
Vomiting
Children should see a doctor if their vomit appears dark green or bloody in color. Vomiting can be the sign of a stomach bug and many other contagious illnesses. Vomiting can sometimes be associated with a high fever.
Sore Throat
Children experiencing a sore throat my have strep, which is a common and painful illness in children. Talk to your doctor for a diagnosis. They may prescribe antibiotics and other remedies.
Fever
If your child is experiencing any fever temperature over 101 degrees, they should stay home. Fevers are often signs of infection as the body is trying to fight off illness. Fevers also indicate that what your child has is likely contagious. Once your child is fever free for 24 hours they are probably ready to return to school. If the fever lasts more than four days, however, see a doctor.
If you have more questions about your child’s symptoms or other health concerns, call us at 801-724-9840.