No parent wants a child to miss school without good reason. But sending a sick child to class can make a condition worse and put other children at risk.
The following guidelines can help you make that tough morning call.
Don't keep a child home for:
Vague complaints of aches, pains or fatigue.
A single episode of diarrhea or vomiting without any other symptoms.
Sniffles, a runny nose and a mild cough without a fever. It could be a cold or an allergic response to dust, pollen, chalk or seasonal changes.
Keep a child home when he has:
Any physical or emotional condition that would prevent him from participating comfortably in class.
A fever of 100 degrees or higher. Coupled with a rash, earache, sore throat, lethargy or nausea, fever may signal a highly contagious infection.
A persistent, productive cough and wheezing coupled with a thick or constant nasal discharge.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea throughout the previous night.
An undiagnosed rash, especially when there's a fever and behavioral change.
Pinkeye in which there's a white or yellow discharge, often with matted eyelids after sleep, eye pain and redness.
Strep throat/scarlet fever.
Head lice. Stay home until treated and all nits are removed.
Chickenpox. Stay home five days after the onset of blisters, or until all pox are scabbed over and dry.
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