When to Keep a Child Home

It can be hard to know when to send children to school if they tell you that they do not feel well.  Usually, the best place for them is in school, but there are some times when keeping them home to rest or call for an appointment with your health care provider is recommended.

Please keep your child home and/or contact your child’s doctor for:

• Fever greater than 100.4° (taken by mouth)
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• Severe sore throat along with fever and or a diagnosis of strep throat must be treated with antibiotics for 24 hours before returning
• Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth or rash on other body parts 
• Large amounts of mucous (liquid) from their nose, with face pain or headache
• Severe ear pain or fluid coming from the ear
• Severe headache, especially with fever
• Constant and disruptive cough
• Red or draining eyes, if diagnosed with pink eye they must be on antibiotic drops or ointment for 24 hours before returning

If your child has a fever, it is not a good idea to give them medicine like Tylenol or Advil and send them to school because as soon as the medicine wears off, the fever may return and you will be called to come and pick up your child.

Please keep children home for 24 hours after the fever ends or they have completed 24 hours of medication if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Please keep children home until 24 hours vomit and diarrhea free.

If you find your child is frequently asking to stay home from school, if they are falling behind or appear anxious about school, or if there does not appear to be any physical symptoms, contact your school nurse and your health care provider to discuss your concerns.  

Remind children to throw away used tissues, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, keep their hands away from their face, and to wash hands often with soap and warm water will help keep everyone healthier.

Please call your child’s school health office with any concerns or questions.