Pamela Hynes RN
School Nurse
Phone: 860-564-6059
Fax: 860-564-6130
Email: [email protected]
When Should Children Stay Home from School
Deciding whether a sick child should miss valuable class time can be a struggle for any parent. Sometimes symptoms seem border line and a trip to the doctor means missing work.
The general guidelines are to keep your child home if he/she has a fever usually of 100 Degrees, or if you feel they are not well enough to participate in class, and/or may be contagious to others. If your child has been on antibiotics for at least two days and feels fine, it’s ok for them to return to school.
Sometimes your child may have few outward symptoms of illness (no cough, no cold, etc.), but still feels “a little” sick and has a low-grade fever. Keep them home for the day to see how the symptoms develop. Also, the child may feel more comfortable at home where they can get some rest.
Symptoms that mean a child is contagious and should not be in school are:
- If a child has had diarrhea or any vomiting in the last 24 hours.
- With a fever of 100 degrees a child should remain at home until he/she is fever free for 24 hours. (Without administering Tylenol or Motrin).
- Any kind of “crusting” around the eyes, and or irritated itchy eyes. (IF child is diagnosed with “pink eye” he/she needs a full 24 hours of the prescribed medication before returning to school.)
- Sore throat combined with fever or swollen neck glands; and
- Any time the child is unusually fatigued, pale, lack of appetite, or just isn’t themselves. (If child is diagnosed with strep throat, he/she needs to be on antibiotics a full 24 hours before returning to school.)
- Your child should be kept home for the first 24 hours after starting any new medication; it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor for any adverse reactions to the new medication.
- Ear infections are not contagious, but if your child cannot concentrate and you feel the condition will affect your child’s ability to learn, a day of rest is for the best.
- An “uncontrollable” cough.
If you suspect your child is contagious, it’s best to find out before you send them to school. When you are unsure about sending your child to school, consult your pediatrician.
The health and safety of your child and other students is our priority. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call the school nurse.
Thank you,
Pamela Hynes RN
860-564-6059
When should my child stay home pdf