As parents of young children, it is often challenging to know when to send your children to school or to keep them at home when they are not feeling well. Here is a publication (and I have long since lost the reference) of something that I have used with parents and the school nurse for some years. It's just a guide to help you determine when something might be serious enough to get help or to keep young ones at home. You may also contact the school nurse here at school if you are in doubt (6235-5844).
SICK CHILDREN.. send to school or stay at home?
Guidelines for Parents
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 the guidelines below and seek the advice of your health care provider.
GO to School ….. If your child has any of the following symptoms, they should probably go to school.
· Sniffles, a mild runny nose with minimal drainage, mild cough without a fever
· Vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue
STAY at Home …. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home and make appropriate child care arrangements or seek to make a doctor’s appointment (there may be many more health issues, which would merit exclusion. These are the most common).
CHICKEN POX
(Varicella)
Chicken pox blisters appear in crops and are infectious until ALL blisters are dried and crusted over (usually 5-6 days after star of rash). Keep child home until no longer contagious.
COLDS
A runny nose it not necessarily cause to keep your child home. Keep them home with a runny nose AND a fever, bad cough, headache or nausea or if the child is too tired or too uncomfortable to function at school.
DIARRHEA
Keep children home for persistent watery stools especially if the child looks or acts ill. Your health care provider, especially if accompanied by fever and cramps, should evaluate persistent diarrhea.
EARS
Your health care provider should evaluate drainage from the ear and/or ear pain. Untreated ear infections can cause temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.
EYES
Thick mucus, pus or clear liquid draining from the eye may be contagious. One or both eyes may also appear extremely red and feel irritated, itchy or painful. The eyelid may be swollen and the eye may be sensitive to light. Return to school when the drainage and symptoms have cleared. You may need to get a prescription for eye drops from your health care provider.
FEVER
A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Stay home for a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 C) or higher within the last 24 hours.
FRACTURES OR SURGERY
Please notify the school nurse for evaluation of any modifications to physical activity, length of day, or mobility needs. You may be asked to provide written information from your health care provider regarding limitations and special needs.
LICE, SCABIES
Please notify the school nurse if your child has head lice. For a noted infestation of lice and nits (eggs), your child may not return to school until they have been treated.
NASAL DISCHARGE
And/or CHRONIC COUGH
These conditions may be contagious and may require treatment. Your child should be seen by your health care provider for evaluation especially if symptoms also include fever and a large amount of mucous drainage.
RASH
Any skin rash of unknown cause may be contagious or require medical treatment, especially with fever and itching. Consult with your health care provider. You may be asked to present a medical excuse from your physician stating that the rash is not contagious (or no longer contagious).
SORE THROAT
A sore throat, especially with fever or swollen neck glands may be contagious. If infected, please notify the school nurse. Return date should be discussed with the school nurse.
VOMITING
An ill child who is vomiting should remain home for 12-24 hours after the episode and until child has tolerated at least two normal meals. If related to a head injury, a vomiting child should be seen by the student’s physician or in an emergency room. Please report the head injury to the school nurse.
SICK CHILDREN.. send to school or stay at home?
Guidelines for Parents
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 the guidelines below and seek the advice of your health care provider.
GO to School ….. If your child has any of the following symptoms, they should probably go to school.
· Sniffles, a mild runny nose with minimal drainage, mild cough without a fever
· Vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue
STAY at Home …. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child home and make appropriate child care arrangements or seek to make a doctor’s appointment (there may be many more health issues, which would merit exclusion. These are the most common).
CHICKEN POX
(Varicella)
Chicken pox blisters appear in crops and are infectious until ALL blisters are dried and crusted over (usually 5-6 days after star of rash). Keep child home until no longer contagious.
COLDS
A runny nose it not necessarily cause to keep your child home. Keep them home with a runny nose AND a fever, bad cough, headache or nausea or if the child is too tired or too uncomfortable to function at school.
DIARRHEA
Keep children home for persistent watery stools especially if the child looks or acts ill. Your health care provider, especially if accompanied by fever and cramps, should evaluate persistent diarrhea.
EARS
Your health care provider should evaluate drainage from the ear and/or ear pain. Untreated ear infections can cause temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.
EYES
Thick mucus, pus or clear liquid draining from the eye may be contagious. One or both eyes may also appear extremely red and feel irritated, itchy or painful. The eyelid may be swollen and the eye may be sensitive to light. Return to school when the drainage and symptoms have cleared. You may need to get a prescription for eye drops from your health care provider.
FEVER
A child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Stay home for a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 C) or higher within the last 24 hours.
FRACTURES OR SURGERY
Please notify the school nurse for evaluation of any modifications to physical activity, length of day, or mobility needs. You may be asked to provide written information from your health care provider regarding limitations and special needs.
LICE, SCABIES
Please notify the school nurse if your child has head lice. For a noted infestation of lice and nits (eggs), your child may not return to school until they have been treated.
NASAL DISCHARGE
And/or CHRONIC COUGH
These conditions may be contagious and may require treatment. Your child should be seen by your health care provider for evaluation especially if symptoms also include fever and a large amount of mucous drainage.
RASH
Any skin rash of unknown cause may be contagious or require medical treatment, especially with fever and itching. Consult with your health care provider. You may be asked to present a medical excuse from your physician stating that the rash is not contagious (or no longer contagious).
SORE THROAT
A sore throat, especially with fever or swollen neck glands may be contagious. If infected, please notify the school nurse. Return date should be discussed with the school nurse.
VOMITING
An ill child who is vomiting should remain home for 12-24 hours after the episode and until child has tolerated at least two normal meals. If related to a head injury, a vomiting child should be seen by the student’s physician or in an emergency room. Please report the head injury to the school nurse.