When Sick Kids Should Stay Home
Kids seem to have a constant string of illnesses this time of year. But which signs of being sick mean they should stay home? And which symptoms can they deal with at their desks?
鈥淐hildren don鈥檛 learn very well or get much out of school when they aren鈥檛 feeling well,鈥 says Cindy Gellner, MD, a pediatrician at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淚t truly is in the child鈥檚鈥攁nd their classmates鈥欌攂est interest to keep them home when they are sick.鈥
Here are some tips on assessing symptoms before sending them out the door and into the classroom:
Fever
Any temperature more than 100.4潞 for a child over six months old means they should stay home.
鈥淎 fever is a sign of infection,鈥 Gellner says. 鈥淚t means your child鈥檚 body is trying to fight off an illness. If your child has a fever, it鈥檚 likely they have something contagious.鈥
Your child can return to school once they are fever free without medication for 24 hours. If the fever lasts more than four days, see a doctor.
Cough
A child should stay home when cough and cold symptoms are severe (if your child is having a hard time breathing due to coughing spasms or has significant nasal congestion). However, a cough can last three to four weeks. They can return to school once the cough improves.
Runny Nose
A runny nose can last at least 10 days, and it鈥檚 generally okay to send your child to school with one. However, if a runny nose and congestion are causing issues with breathing, last more than two weeks, get worse, or if mucus is turning colors, it鈥檚 time to see a doctor.
鈥淧arents often think that if their child鈥檚 mucus is green鈥攅ven if they鈥檝e only been sick for a few days鈥攊t鈥檚 instant antibiotics for a sinus infection, but that鈥檚 not true,鈥 Gellner says. 鈥淪ymptoms for a sinus infection usually last at least 10 days and worsen.鈥
Sore Throat
A sore throat can be a sign of strep, which means your child should see a doctor. Once they are diagnosed, your child can return to school 12-24 hours after starting antibiotics.
Vomit
If your child vomits more than once, they likely have a stomach bug and should stay home. If your child鈥檚 vomit is bloody or dark green in color, see a doctor. They can return to school after not vomiting for 24 hours.
Diarrhea
Antibiotics can cause diarrhea, but most often a stomach bug is the culprit. Take your child to the doctor if their stool appears bloody. They can return to school when their diarrhea is controlled, meaning they can make it to the bathroom and only have diarrhea two times a day.
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