Should my child be at school with this illness?
Stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea
A child with vomiting and/or diarrhea should be kept at home
until symptoms have resolved for approximately 24 hours and the child is able to
keep down food and liquid. Consult your doctor if fever and stomach pains
persist or your child has poor oral intake and appears dehydrated (dry mouth, no
tears, sunken eyes, urinates less than 4 times in 24 hours). Remember to
wash your hands frequently.
Pain
Earache: consult your doctor during office hours. To
relieve pain, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen as recommended by your
child's doctor. A child need not miss school due to an ear infection.
Toothache: Call your dentist.
Headache: A child should be kept at home if headaches are
severe and do not respond to acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Consult your
doctor should the headaches persist.
Cold, sore throat, cough
Children average six to eight colds per year. If cold and
cough symptoms are associated with a fever or they do not readily improve, call
your doctor. Your child may attend school if there is no fever.
A sore throat, in conjunction with a fever and swollen glands,
may indicate strep throat. Call your doctor during office hours to have
your child evaluated. Children are no longer contagious after 24 hours on
antibiotics.
Red Eyes
When the white part of the eye appears red and produces a yellow
or green crusty discharge: Call your doctor during office hours should
these symptoms persist. Your child may have conjunctivitis, a common but troublesome
condition which may be a contagious infection. Your child may
need an eye ointment, and may attend school after 24 hours of treatment.
Remember to wash your hands frequently.
Give your child a separate towel and washcloth.
Fever
Your child may attend school with a temperature less than 100
degrees. Fevers are generally signs of infection. Make sure that you
have a thermometer at home and can readily take your child's temperature.
Consult your doctor for the best anti-fever medication for your child and if the
fever is associated with other symptoms.
Rash
A rash is usually the sign of a viral illness. It also may
be a reaction to a medication or chemical (plant, detergents). If your
child has an unusual rash or it is associated with a fever, contact your
doctor. Keep your child home from school until you have discussed the rash
with your doctor.
