Is My Child Sick?
Should I Send My Child to School?
It is known that children have been kept home from school for reasons other than illness. Unnecessary absence from school may have a bad
effect on a student’s attitude, work habit, and progress. One of the problems most often confronting parents of school-aged children occurs when a child complains of not feeling well on a school day. A decision must be made as to whether the child stays home or goes to school.
What Do You Do? How Do You Make The Right Decision?
You do not want to keep a child home if he/she is not sick; but you also do not want to send a sick child to school.
Become familiar with the symptoms as outlines in this pamphlet. Use your own good common sense and remember:
This pamphlet is designed to be followed until your doctor can be contacted for his/her opinion. This should be done without delay.
Fever
A fever is a warning that all is not right with the body. The best way to check for a fever is with a thermometer. A child with a temperature of 100° or over should be kept at home. When no thermometer is available, check the child’s forehead with the back or your hand. If it is hot, keep your child home until the temperature can be checked with a thermometer. Do not allow your child to return to school until he/she has been free of fever for over 24 hours.
Rash
A rash may be the first sign of one of childhood’s many illnesses, such as measles or chicken pox. A rash or “spots” may cover the
entire body or may appear in only one area. Do not send your child to school with a rash until your doctor has said it is safe to do so.
Stomachache, Vomiting and Diarrhea
Consult your doctor if your child has a stomach ache that is persistent or severe enough to limit his/her activity. If vomiting occurs, keep
your child home until he/she can keep down his/her food. A child with diarrhea should be kept home until they are symptom free for 24 hours. Call your doctor if prompt improvement does not occur.
Toothache
Contact your dentist
Earache
Consult your doctor without delay.
Headache
A child whose only complaint is a headache usually does not need to be kept home.
Cold, Sore Throat, and Cough
The common cold presents the most frequent problem to parents. A child with a “mild” cold and a deep or barking cough belongs at home in bed,
even if he/she doesn’t have a fever. If your child complains of a sore throat and has no other symptoms, he/she may go to school. If white spots can be seen in the back of the throat or if fever is present, keep your child home and call your doctor.
Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye is highly contagious and uncomfortable, so be aware of complaints of burning, itching, or eyes producing
whitish discharge. This requires treatment with prescription eye drops. Keep your child home for 24 hours after appropriate treatment has been initiated and signs and symptoms are greatly reduced.
Sick Children Belong At Home!
Well Children Belong At School!
Become familiar with the symptoms as outlined in this pamphlet. Use your common sense and remember:
The information in this pamphlet is not intended as medical advice.
If you keep your child home from school, for any reason, please contact the school attendance office at 731-3817.
Adapted from……
The Arizona Medical Association Auxiliary
Inc.
And
The Illinois State Medical Society Auxiliary
Should I Send My Child to School?
It is known that children have been kept home from school for reasons other than illness. Unnecessary absence from school may have a bad
effect on a student’s attitude, work habit, and progress. One of the problems most often confronting parents of school-aged children occurs when a child complains of not feeling well on a school day. A decision must be made as to whether the child stays home or goes to school.
What Do You Do? How Do You Make The Right Decision?
You do not want to keep a child home if he/she is not sick; but you also do not want to send a sick child to school.
Become familiar with the symptoms as outlines in this pamphlet. Use your own good common sense and remember:
This pamphlet is designed to be followed until your doctor can be contacted for his/her opinion. This should be done without delay.
Fever
A fever is a warning that all is not right with the body. The best way to check for a fever is with a thermometer. A child with a temperature of 100° or over should be kept at home. When no thermometer is available, check the child’s forehead with the back or your hand. If it is hot, keep your child home until the temperature can be checked with a thermometer. Do not allow your child to return to school until he/she has been free of fever for over 24 hours.
Rash
A rash may be the first sign of one of childhood’s many illnesses, such as measles or chicken pox. A rash or “spots” may cover the
entire body or may appear in only one area. Do not send your child to school with a rash until your doctor has said it is safe to do so.
Stomachache, Vomiting and Diarrhea
Consult your doctor if your child has a stomach ache that is persistent or severe enough to limit his/her activity. If vomiting occurs, keep
your child home until he/she can keep down his/her food. A child with diarrhea should be kept home until they are symptom free for 24 hours. Call your doctor if prompt improvement does not occur.
Toothache
Contact your dentist
Earache
Consult your doctor without delay.
Headache
A child whose only complaint is a headache usually does not need to be kept home.
Cold, Sore Throat, and Cough
The common cold presents the most frequent problem to parents. A child with a “mild” cold and a deep or barking cough belongs at home in bed,
even if he/she doesn’t have a fever. If your child complains of a sore throat and has no other symptoms, he/she may go to school. If white spots can be seen in the back of the throat or if fever is present, keep your child home and call your doctor.
Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye is highly contagious and uncomfortable, so be aware of complaints of burning, itching, or eyes producing
whitish discharge. This requires treatment with prescription eye drops. Keep your child home for 24 hours after appropriate treatment has been initiated and signs and symptoms are greatly reduced.
Sick Children Belong At Home!
Well Children Belong At School!
Become familiar with the symptoms as outlined in this pamphlet. Use your common sense and remember:
The information in this pamphlet is not intended as medical advice.
If you keep your child home from school, for any reason, please contact the school attendance office at 731-3817.
Adapted from……
The Arizona Medical Association Auxiliary
Inc.
And
The Illinois State Medical Society Auxiliary