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Fever
If your child's temperature is 100.0 degrees or higher, keep your
kid at home. While at home, encourage your child to drink plenty of
liquids. Your child should be FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS (without
medicine) before returning to school.
Mild Cough/Runny Nose
If there's no fever, and the child feels fairly good, school is
fine.
Bad Cough/Cold Symptoms
Children with bad coughs need to stay home, and possibly see a
doctor. It could be a severe cold or possibly bronchitis, flu, or
pneumonia. But when the cough improves, and the child is feeling
better, then it's back to school. Don't wait for the cough to
disappear entirely -- that could take a week or longer!
Diarrhea or Vomiting
Keep your child home until the illness is over, and for 24 hours
after the last episode (without medicine).
Sore Throat
A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore
throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other
symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset.
Keep your child home from school, and contact a doctor. Your child
needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat. He or she
can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins.
Earache
The child needs to see a doctor.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Keep the child home until a doctor has given the OK to return to
school. Pink eye is highly contagious and most cases are caused by a
virus, which will not respond to an antibiotic. Bacterial
conjunctivitis will require an antibiotic; your doctor will be able
to determine if this is the case.
Rash
Children with a skin rash should see a doctor, as this could be one
of several infectious diseases. One possibility is impetigo, a
bacterial skin infection that is very contagious and requires
antibiotic treatment. Also, fifth disease is a contagious viral
illness spread by coughs and sneezes; it's no longer contagious by
the time rash appears.
IF YOU DO TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DOCTOR, TRY TO GET A NOTE TO BRING
BACK UPON RETURNING TO SCHOOL. |
