When to keep sick Children at home

sick children
There are two reasons to keep sick children at home:
  • The child does not feel well enough to participate comfortable in usual activities.
  • The illness is on the list of symptoms or illness for which temporary exclusion is recommended for the health and safety of your child as well as other children.
Children with the following symptoms should be kept (excluded) from school:
Symptom Child must be at home?
Fever:
Elevated temperature of 100o F or greater demonstrates the need to exclude the student from the school setting.
Note: A fever is noted to be present at 100.4oF.		 YES - when accompanied by behavior changes or other symptoms of illness, i.e.: rash, sore throat, stomach ache/vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, head ache, ear ache.
The student should be fever free (oral temperature below 99o F) without the use of fever-reducing medicines, for a complete school day (24 hours) before returning to school.
Flu Symptoms:
Fever over 100o F or greater with cough and/or sore throat.
Other flu symptoms can include fatigue, body aches, vomiting and/or diarrhea.		 YES - for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
Coughing:
Severe uncontrolled coughing or wheezing, rapid or difficult breathing; coughing lasting longer than 5-7 days.		 Yes - medical attention is necessary.
Mild Respiratory or cold Symptoms:
Stuffy nose with clear drainage, sneezing, mild cough; no temperature elevation.		 NO - may attend if able to participate in school activities.
Vomiting:
Two or more episodes of vomiting in the past 24 hours.		 YES - until vomiting resolves (no further vomiting for 24 hours). Observe for other signs of illness and for dehydration.
Diarrhea:
Frequent, loose or watery stools compared to child's normal pattern; not caused by diet or medication.		 YES - if the child looks or acts ill; if the child has diarrhea with temperature elevation of 100o F or greater; if child has diarrhea and vomiting.
Rash WITH Fever:
 A body rash without fever or behavior changes usually does not require exclusion from school; seek medical advice.		 YES - see medical advice. Any rash that spreads quickly, has open, weeping wounds and/or is not healing should be evaluated.
Children with the following illness should be kept (excluded) from school:
Illness Child must be at home?
Conjunctivitis
Pink/reddish color to white part of the eye and thick discharge may be yellow or greenish in color.		 YES - discharge and signs of infection have cleared or completion of 24 hour treatment with ophthalmic solution prescribed by a health care provider.
Head lice or scabies NO - Treatment initiated.
Note: Strict adherence to product directions is essential for successful eradication of parasites.
Impetigo (to include: streptococci, staphylococcus, MRSA infections)
Blister like lesions which develop into pustules. May "weep" and crust.		 Yes - for 24 hours after medical treatment initiated.
Note: Lesions must covered for school attendance.
Ringworm NO - Under care of medical care provider
Note: Lesions must covered for school attendance.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, (German Measles), Chicken pox, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Influenza		 YES - until determined not infectious by medical care provider.
What can I do to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases in my home?
  • Remind your children to wash their hands often.
  • Reinforce the practice of coughing or sneezing into a sleeve or upper arm instead of hands.
  • Throw away tissues immediately after each use and immediately wash hands.
  • Remind your children not to drink or eat after others, including family members.
  • Circulate fresh air through the house at least once a day.
  • Provide your children with a balanced diet.
  • Keep bed times regular. School aged children need 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
  • Encourage at least 60 minutes of daily exercise and daily trips out of doors.
  • Encourage your children to dress appropriately for the weather. Layering clothing so they may remove and add as their activity level warrants.
  • Take your child to the doctor if the symptoms persist
  • If you use over the counter medications—use only those that are specific for your child's symptoms. NEVER give children aspirin, adult medications, someone else's medication or medication left over or outdated.
  • Increase fluid intake (juices and water).
  • Allow your child to rest and fully recover before sending him/her back to school.

REMINDER: The ONLY medication the school can administer is medication prescribed by a physician. Permission forms, signed by the parent and physician, giving school personnel permission to administer medications to students may be obtained from the school nurse's office. The form and the medication (in the original container, properly labeled) is to remain in the nurse's office until the medication is depleted or discontinued by the physician.

This information is based upon guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control, Clinical Guidelines for School Nurses (2007) and DoDEA DSM 2942.1, March 2004.