All children get sick some time or another during their school years. As a parent we want our children not to miss any more school than necessary so "How sick is TOO SICK for school"? Below are the guidelines that we suggest is the time to keep your child home.
- A fever of 100 degrees or above. Keep your child home until he/she is fever free for a full 24 hours without the help of medication. Never give a child under the age of 18 aspirin unless directed by a physician.
- Vomiting - A child should not attend school if he/she has vomited in the last 12 hours. If a child is vomiting avoid milk products for 24 hours but encourage clear fluids (water, flat 7-up or ginger ale, Gatorade).
- Diarrhea - A child should not attend school if he/she has had diarrhea in the last 12 hours. Encourage liquids until diarrhea has stopped.
- Undiagnosed Rash - Do not attend school until the rash has been diagnosed and treated.
- Pink Eye - Very Contagious! The child may return to school after treatment has been given for 24 hours.
Then there are times when your child looks and feels like he/she is too ill to study or learn in school. If so, there is no point in being at school.
Allowing your child to stay home when ill will help reduce the amount of time required for your child to recover and it reduces the chance of others becoming infected.
Proper and frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent illness.
Please be sure your child's school has all possible phone numbers to contact you or the emergency contact in case your child becomes ill at school and it is necessary for him/her to go home.