Microsoft word - when to keep your child home _3_.doc

When to Keep Your Child Home
Children should be kept home from school when they don’t feel well. It is important to get the rest they
need to recover, and to prevent the spread of germs to other children and the staff. If you are unsure of
when to keep your child home, please contact the school nurse or your family medical provider.
The following symptoms may suggest a communicable disease. Children who have the following
symptoms should be kept home from school until a doctor has seen them, they no longer have symptoms
indicating a communicable disease or they have received treatment for at least 24 hours for certain
diseases.
Fever: An oral temperature of 100.00 or higher indicates a fever. If your child has a temp of 100.00 or
higher at school he/she will be sent home. Your child should be fever free for 24 hours and without the
use of a fever reducer (Tylenol or Ibuprofen product) before he/she returns to school.
Strep Throat: If a fever is accompanied by a sore throat, stomach ache or head ache it may be strep
throat. Strep throat is diagnosed by a throat culture obtained at a medical clinic. If your child is treated
with antibiotics for strep, he/she must stay home for 3 doses and/or 24 hours before returning to school.
Vomiting and diarrhea: If your child has an episode of vomiting or diarrhea at school, he/she will be
sent home. Anyone with either of these symptoms should stay home until symptoms are absent for 24
hours.
Eyes: Pink eye or Conjunctivitis appears as a pinkish sclera (white of the eye), it is usually itchy and
painful. Drainage or crust may form on the eyelids. A visit to the doctor is needed to confirm pink eye and
it must be treated for 24 hours with antibiotic eye drops before returning to school.
Skin problems: Rashes and infected sores needed to be diagnosed by a medical provider. Many skin
rashes such as impetigo, scabies, chicken pox, Fifth disease or Hand Foot and Mouth disease are very
contagious. Students may return to school once the rash has been diagnosed and treated for 24 hours or
cleared by a doctor. Open sores from illnesses such as chicken pox and impetigo may need to be covered
at school with bandages for several days.
Cough: A cough may be a sign of many different illnesses. If a cough is accompanied by a fever, sore
throat, body aches or any other symptoms you should keep your child home. Any cough that lasts for
more than several days should be discussed with a doctor.
Lice: If live lice are found on a student at school, the student will be sent home for treatment. The child
may return after a treatment and no live lice are found on the head. If you discover lice at home, please
contact the school nurse to discuss the best way to get rid of lice and determine when your child may
return to school.

Source: http://www.bwsd.k12.wi.us/Health%20Information%20and%20Forms/When%20to%20Keep%20Your%20Child%20Home.pdf