{"id":40375,"date":"2021-09-07T09:30:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T13:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=40375"},"modified":"2023-09-07T09:38:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T13:38:24","slug":"when-to-keep-kids-home-from-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/when-to-keep-kids-home-from-school\/","title":{"rendered":"When to keep your child home sick from school"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a parent, you are often faced with difficult decisions. When your kids wake up feeling sick, it can be hard to know when to keep kids home from school. You don\u2019t want them missing out on important lessons, but you also don\u2019t want your child to get anyone else sick\u2014or to become even more ill from toughing it out. Now with COVID-19 complicating the issue even more, you may be wondering: How do you know when to keep your child home from school?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9 signs you should keep your child home from school<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cThis year, infections like common colds and RSV are circulating much sooner than before and are perhaps causing symptoms that are stronger,\u201d says Sumana Reddy, MD<\/a>, a physician at Acacia Family Medical Group in Salinas, California. There are some symptoms that all providers agree would warrant keeping your child home from school.<\/span> The American Academy of Pediatrics<\/span><\/a> and other experts recommend that you keep your child home sick if they are experiencing the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Fever\u2014any temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or greater<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Persistent <\/span>cough<\/span><\/a> or difficulty breathing<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Severe pain (like a migraine headache or severe earache)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Severe sore throat that lasts more than 48 hours, especially when accompanied by a fever<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. A significant rash, especially when other symptoms are present<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Large amounts of discolored nasal discharge<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Pink eye<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These could be signs of a contagious illness, like strep throat, the flu, or even COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Which illnesses require a sick day?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Before the pandemic,\u00a0 it was common to go about normal life with a mild virus. The easy transmissibility of COVID-19 called attention to the fact that sometimes it\u2019s better to stay home to avoid spreading illness to others. Yet, you don\u2019t want to make kids miss class unnecessarily at the first sign of the sniffles. These are the types of illnesses when it\u2019s okay to be out and about\u2014and when to stay home from school.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Stay home from school for…<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Influenza<\/span><\/h4>\n

    \u201cA child with flu symptoms may actually have COVID-19 and should be tested,\u201d says<\/span> Pierrette Mimi Poinsett<\/span><\/a>, MD, a medical consultant at Mom Loves Best.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Your child\u2019s temperature can determine when to return to school after the flu. When your child has the flu, they should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. They are contagious one day before they show symptoms until five to seven days after they first show symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Pink eye\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Pink eye<\/span><\/a>, also known as conjunctivitis, is nicknamed for its hallmark symptom: eyes that are red or pink in color\u2014often along with itching or swelling. This condition spreads easily from person to person, so children should stay home until they are no longer contagious.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For viral pink eye, the contagious period can last for up to two weeks. For bacterial pink eye, kids are contagious for 24 to 48 hours after beginning antibiotics. Your child may need a letter from your pediatrician to return to school if symptoms aren\u2019t completely gone after starting treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fifth disease<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Fifth disease<\/span><\/a>, also known as parvo, is often signaled by <\/span>a bright red rash across the cheeks, with a low-grade fever. Children can be contagious up to five days before symptoms appear. Once the tell-tale rash appears, kids are no longer contagious and can return to school if they are feeling well enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Strep throat<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Strep throat<\/span><\/a> is another infection that\u2019s highly contagious and usually warrants time off from school. Common symptoms include severe sore throat, fever, headache, and nausea. You can even catch it from your kids, so make sure to take precautions if your child is diagnosed. Once a pediatrician confirms the infection with a strep test, kids are only contagious for 24 hours after treatment with antibiotics. Then they can head back to class.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Stomach bug<\/span><\/h4>\n

    A <\/span>stomach bug<\/span><\/a>\u2014and the unpleasant vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain it brings\u2014can last up to two weeks. Though, vomiting and diarrhea usually subside after 48 hours. Kids can be contagious until symptoms stop, and should stay home from school until 24 hours after the last bout of tummy troubles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Hand, foot, and mouth disease<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Hand, foot, and mouth disease<\/span><\/a> gets its name from the sores that appear on the hands, feet, and in the mouth\u2014though they can also appear in other areas. Children are contagious for the first week of experiencing symptoms, and it is possible to be contagious for longer depending on the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

    It may be okay to go to school with…<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The common cold<\/span><\/h4>\n

    If your child only has minor symptoms of a cold, then in most cases, they can go to school. Just make sure to get a negative COVID-19 test first. Some symptoms can mirror the coronavirus.<\/span><\/p>\n

    But, if your child feels like they can’t focus or learn then it probably makes sense to keep them home. Children can be contagious two to three days before showing symptoms and for as long as symptoms remain present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Ear infection<\/span><\/h4>\n

    If your child has an <\/span>ear infection<\/span><\/a>, you may notice symptoms like ear pain, fever, and sometimes nasal congestion. Ear infections are not contagious, so as soon as the fever has subsided and your child is feeling up to it, it\u2019s okay to return to school. However, ear infections usually develop as a result of a bacterial or viral respiratory infection, which can be contagious.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Why it\u2019s important to keep sick children home from school<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Even if your child\u2019s symptoms aren\u2019t severe, sometimes it\u2019s good to take a day off for some rest and rejuvenation. Why?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n