Sometimes it can be difficult for a parent to decide whether to send children to school when they wake up with early symptoms of an illness or complaints that they do not feel well. However, there are some situations in which it is best to plan on keeping your child home for a day to rest or to arrange for an appointment with your healthcare provider.  The following are a few such situations that warrant holding your child home:

• Persistent fever greater than 100.5°, including a fever that requires control with medication, like Tylenol or Motrin.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Significant cough that makes a child feel uncomfortable or interferes with breathing.
• Sore throat that is severe, accompanied by fever and/or feeling ill, that persists longer than 24 hours, OR after known exposure to a confirmed case of Streptococcal throat infection
• Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth or rash on other body parts that might be impetigo; OR a rash in various stages including boils, sores and bumps that may be chicken pox; OR a significant rash accompanied by other symptoms of illness such as fever
• Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear
• Red, runny eyes that could indicate Pink Eye

It is better to let them stay home in bed with a fever and take their medications at home until they are fever free for 24 hours off all medicines and ready to participate and learn for a full day in the classroom. After a prolonged illness, be sure to ask your provider when it is safe for your child to return to school, both for your child’s health and for the health of the rest of the school. Let’s have a healthy, productive year!

Sincerely,
Carolyn Harris
School Nurse
Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
Clinic - 404-298-4862
charris@doe.k12.ga.us