It’s 6:30 on Tuesday morning and your child gets up saying, “I don’t feel good.” How do you decide whether to send him to school or keep him home? It’s not an exact science, but the guidelines below will help.

1. Take your child’s temperature. Though a child may not have a fever and still be sick, a temperature of 100.4o or over is a sure sign to keep your child home. Giving a fever reducer and sending him to school will almost guarantee a call from school when the medicine wears off, as well as exposing other students to whatever your child has.
2. If your child vomited or had diarrhea during the previous evening or night, please keep him home. If symptoms continue for more than 48 hours or worsen instead of improving, consult the doctor.
3. A blistery rash, especially if accompanied by a fever and a history of exposure, may be chicken pox. Keep your child home until you know for sure. If it is chicken pox, he will need to stay home until all areas are scabbed, usually 6-7 days.
4. If your child is diagnosed with a bacterial disease such as strep, he should be on prescribed antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
5. A child does not need to visit the doctor simply to obtain a doctor’s note for school. A note from a parent or legal guardian is sufficient for the first 10 absences. Any absences in excess of 10 days will require a note from your child’s doctor.

It is often difficult to tell how sick your child is. If he stays home and improves, you can always take him to school. Be sure that the school has current telephone numbers to reach you at all times in case your child becomes ill or injured. School is important, but sick children need to be at home.

Source: Becky White, RN, School Health Nurse, Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, 288-2364.