Colds & Flus: Too Sick for School?

Cold and flu season is nearly upon us. When the coughing starts, every parent starts thinking the same thing… "Should I send Johnny to school?".

The fact of the matter is, for the majority of the time, the answer is "yes". Here is a list of when to say "no".

Fever
When your child's temperature is over 100 degrees (over 100.4 according to WebMD contributor Steven Parker, MD of Boston Medical Center), keep them home. Your child should stay home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication.

Coughs, Sneezes, Runny Noses
For just a mild cough and a runny nose, your child should continue to attend school, absent the presence of fever or other aggravations. Cold symptoms can last for a week to ten days, and if you wait until your child is free of coughing, they will be missing far too much school. If the cough is severe and hacking, keep your child home and consider calling your pediatrician; it could be a very bad cold, or it could be something more serious. When the cough lasts longer than ten days, give your doctor a call as well.

Sore Throat
If your child is complaining of a little sore throat, send them to school. If the pain is severe, accompanied by a fever or is long lasting, keep your child home and call your doctor.

Vomiting, Diarrhea
Obviously, a vomiting child should stay home. How long? For 24 hours after the vomiting has stopped. The same is true for diarrhea.

Rashes
Call your pediatrician if your child has a rash. Childhood rashes are not at all uncommon. Most are harmless and are often the byproduct of a virus. Some, however, may be a sign of something more concerning and may require treatment with a medicated cream (as is the case with scabies) or antibiotics. Your doctor will help you determine the cause of a skin rash and will instruct regarding when it is okay for your child to return to school.

Pink Eye, Earaches
For these, consulting your pediatrician is your only option. Follow your doctor's advice for earaches and treatment, but generally speaking, your child can return when they are comfortable enough to do so, as earaches are not contagious. Pink Eye (conjunctivitis) is highly contagious and must be attended to before your child can return to school.

Other Considerations
Even when your child is well enough to attend school according to "the rules", take into consideration their general condition. Although you do not want to keep your child home for every little sniffle, your child needs to have a reasonable amount of energy to play and participate in regular school activities. If your child is very tired from their cold, keep them home for a day to rest and recharge. Remember, there is nowhere for your child to lay down and take a break when they become fatigued at school, and teachers do not have the option of picking and choosing when your child needs to be with the group. One last consideration - would you would want your child exposed to this condition if another classmate were the source?

For more advice, check out these sources: WebMD, Childcare.about.com, Kidsscource.com.