When to keep your child home sick from school (and when they can go back)

Steps

1. Find your school's illness policy now, in the handbook or on the nurse's page. Fever cutoffs and return rules vary by district, so use your school's numbers when they differ.
2. On a sick morning, ask three questions: Fever above 101°F in the past 24 hours? Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours? Well enough to join in class? A yes to any of them means a home day.
3. Just a leftover runny nose or a slight headache? The AAP says that, depending on local attendance policy, kids can go to school if none of the three apply. Make sure the school can reach you during the day.
4. Going back: wait until there's been no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and symptoms are getting better overall.
5. Report the absence the way your school asks (attendance line, app or email) and ask how to get any missed work.
6. Line up a backup caregiver before cold and flu season peaks.
7. Call your pediatrician with questions. For emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing or chest pain, get emergency care right away.

What CDC tells schools

• Stay home with: a fever (including a fever with a new rash); vomiting more than twice in the past 24 hours; diarrhea that causes accidents, is bloody, or means more than two extra bowel movements in 24 hours; draining skin sores that can't be covered; or respiratory symptoms that are getting worse or not improving.
• In general, CDC says children with improving symptoms should be able to take part in school.
• CDC also asks schools to think carefully before requiring a doctor's note for illness absences, since many common childhood illnesses can be managed at home.

For PTAs

Share a short version of your school's sick-day policy and how to report an absence in your November newsletter or school-app post. It saves the front office a lot of morning phone calls.

Sources

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): When to Keep Your Child Home Sick from School — https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/When-to-Keep-Your-Child-Home-from-School.aspx

CDC: When Students or Staff are Sick — https://www.cdc.gov/children-and-school-preparedness/infection-prevention/when-sick.html

CDC: Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick — https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html

This page is general information, not medical advice. Follow your school's policy and your pediatrician's advice.

Related

• November school-parent checklist
• December school-parent checklist
• Daylight saving time ends Nov 1: help your kids' sleep adjust

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