Your child doesn't feel well. Should you send them to school? This is a common dilemma for parents if their child is sick.
Children get sick frequently; they get about 5-7 colds a year as compared to adults, who catch about 2-4 colds a year. That's not surprising, considering your child is in close proximity to dozens of other children five days a week.
Sometimes it's hard to distinguish what's best for your child: keeping them home or sending them to school if they're ailing.
If you kept your child home every time they catch a cold, they would miss quite a few school days. Does a runny nose or cough make them contagious or too ill to focus? Here are some situations that help guide you in knowing when to keep your child home from school.
A fever over 100.4℉
If your child's fever is over 100.4℉, they need to stay home. The fever means your child's body is fighting an infection, and it's most likely viral. Sometimes a bug is gone in a day or two, but a cold can often last up to a week. In children under 5, colds can often last up to two weeks.
Your school most likely has guidelines on when your child should stay home. In any case, experts recommend keeping your child at home for one full day (24 hours) after the fever is gone.
Signs your Child might be contagious
When your child is contagious
Keep your child home if they show signs of a contagious illness, such as a sore throat, severe headache, eye discharge, prolonged cough, ear pain, or stomach issues like vomiting or diarrhea. These could indicate conditions like the flu, pink eye, or gastroenteritis. Call your doctor for an appointment if these symptoms appear.
When your child is weak
If your child doesn't have a normal energy level, it could point to the flu. It's better to keep them home for a day and watch them to see if this is a precursor to something more. If they seem very weak, bring them to our office right away.
Use your judgment
Trust your instincts-if your child seems unusually tired, pale, or skips meals, it's best to keep them home. For teens, check their temperature; if it's normal and they have no signs of illness, it's okay to send them to school.
Call Fairway Children's Medical Group for a phone consultation or a same-day appointment when your child is too sick to go to school, or request an appointment through our online portal for other types of appointments, such as physicals.