There are three main reasons to keep sick children at home:
And remember, the best way to prevent the spread of infection is through good hand washing.
Children with the following symptoms or illness should be kept home (excluded) from school:
SYMPTOMS |
Child Must Be at Home? |
DIARRHEA frequent, loose or watery stools compared to child's normal ones that are not caused by food or medicine |
Yes - if child looks or acts sick ; if child has diarrhea with fever and isn't acting normally ; if child has diarrhea with vomiting; if child has diarrhea that overflows the diaper or the toilet |
FEVER with behavior change or other illness A fever of 100°F or above in babies 4 months or younger needs immediate medical attention . |
Yes, when the child also has a rash, sore throat, vomiting , diarrhea , behavior changes , stiff neck, difficulty breathing , etc. |
"FLU-LIKE" SYMPTOMS
Fever over 100°F with a cough or sore throat. Other flu symptoms can include tiredness, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea |
Yes- for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, without the use of medicine that reduces the fever |
COUGHING Note: Children with asthma may go to school with a written health care plan and the school is allowed to give them medicine and treatment |
Yes- if severe, uncontrolled coughing or wheezing , rapid or difficulty breathing and medical attention is necessary |
Mild RESPIRATORY OR COLD SYMPTOMS stuffy nose with clear drainage , sneezing , mild cough |
No - may attend if able to take part in school activities Keep home if symptoms are severe. This includes fever and the child is not acting normally and/or has trouble breathing . |
RASH WITH FEVER Note: Body rash without fever or behavior changes usually does not need to stay home from school, call the doctor |
Yes- call the doctor. Any rash that spreads quickly, has open, weeping wounds and/or is not healing should be evaluated |
VOMITING Throwing up two or more times in the past 24 hrs |
Yes - until vomiting stops or a doctor says it is not contagious. If the child has a recent head injury watch for other signs of illness and for dehydration |