|
| |
Deciding
when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents
to make. When trying to decide, use
these guidelines to help you.
Go to School - If your child has any of the following symptoms, he/she should
probably
go to school:
 | Sniffles,
a runny nose and a mild cough without a fever.
This could be an allergic response to dust, pollen or seasonal
changes.
|
| Vague
complaints of aches, pains or fatigue
|
| Single
episode of diarrhea or vomiting without any other symptoms. |
Stay at Home - If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep her/him
at home or make appropriate child care arrangements:
| APPEARANCE,
BEHAVIOR
- unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused or
irritable. This is sufficient
reason to keep a child at home.
|
| EYES
- thick mucus or pus draining from the eye or pink eye.
With pink eye (conjunctivitis) you may see a white or yellow discharge, matted eyelids
after sleep, eye pain and/or redness. Should
see a health care provider.
|
| FEVER
-
temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
A good rule of thumb is that a child should be fever free for 24
hours before returning to school.
|
| GREENISH
NOSE DISCHARGE AND/OR CHRONIC COUGH - should be seen by a health care provider.
These conditions may be contagious and require treatment.
|
| SORE
THROAT
- especially with fever or swollen glands in the neck.
With strep throat, the child may return to school after 24 hours on
antibiotics or as the health care provider recommends.
|
| DIARRHEA
-
three (3) or more watery stools in a 24 hour period, especially if the child
acts or looks ill.
|
| VOMITING
-
vomiting two (2) or more times within the past 24 hours.
|
| RASH
- body rash, especially with fever or itching.
Heat rashes and allergic reactions are not contagious.
|
| EAR
INFECTIONS WITHOUT FEVER
- do not need to be excluded, but the child needs to get medical treatment
and follow-up. Untreated ear
infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
|
| LICE,
SCABIES
- children may not return to school until they have been treated and are
free of live lice.
|
|
CHICKEN POX
- children must stay at home for five (5) days after the onset of blisters, or
until all pox are scabbed over and dry.
|
| Bringing
a child to school with any of the above symptoms puts other children and
staff at risk of getting sick.
|
| If
all parents keep their sick children at home, we will have stronger,
healthier and happier children.
|
| While
we regret any inconvenience this may cause, in the long run this means fewer
lost work days and less illness for parents.
|
|
