It can be difficult as parents to know when to keep your child away from school. Your  child may have been sick last night and may be feeling better the next morning. However you may be wondering if the child should go to school. There are certain circumstances that you need to definitely keep the child home.

When to keep your sick child home from school

Fever : Your child should be fever  free for a period of 24 hours before returning to school. This means the child doesnt have a fever without the aid of fever reducing medications. This is to make sure that the child is not contagious. A temperature  from   101 F or higher  usually means the child has a fever.

Vomiting : If your child is vomiting , it is important that he is vomit free for 24 hours before going to school. Viruses that cause vomtiing are highly contagious. It is important  to wash your hands well to prevent the spread of the infection.

Diarrhea : Your  child should stay home if he has diarrhea . Diarrhea can  last for about a week so you have to decide to keep your child until he is able to control stools .

Rash : Get your child evaluated by a doctor if he has a rash. It could be a sign of infection which can be contagious.

Cough/ congestion :  If it is a minor cough, it shouldnt be a problem.  However in situations  such as those below, the child should be at home.

• coughing and blowing nose so much that the child cant be attentive in school or will disturb  the class
• coughing that makes  the child tired and loses appetite

Sore throat with a fever : This could be a sign of bacterial or viral infection. Get the child evaluated by the doctor. It could be strep throat.

Flu like symptoms : Flu can last for about a week. Your child will be less contagious after the fever goes down. You need to keep the child home until the fever has gone down for  24 hours and the child feels alert .

Keeping your child home when he is sick  ensures that he

• gets the needed rest
• feel better quicker
• doesn’t spread the infection