Once children return to classrooms, daycare, sports and other activities, runny noses, coughs, stomach bugs and other illnesses are bound to make an appearance.

One of the most common questions parents ask during the school year is:

“Do I really need to keep my child home?”

Sometimes the answer is yes. Other times, a lingering runny nose or mild cough doesn't necessarily mean your child needs to miss school.

Here's a simple guide to help.

🏠 When Should My Child Stay Home?

In general, keep your child home when they are too sick to comfortably participate in their normal school day or when their symptoms could indicate an illness that may easily spread to others.

Your child should generally stay home for:

Fever
A child with a fever should remain home. In general, children can return when they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and are feeling well enough to participate.

Vomiting
Keep your child home if they are actively vomiting. Children should be able to keep down food and fluids before returning to school.

Diarrhea
Frequent diarrhea, diarrhea causing accidents or bloody diarrhea are reasons to keep a child home and also require medical evaluation.

Worsening respiratory symptoms
A worsening cough, significant fatigue or other respiratory symptoms that aren't improving may mean your child needs another day at home.

A new rash with fever
Contact your child's healthcare provider for guidance, particularly when a new or unexplained rash occurs along with fever.

🤧 What About a Runny Nose or Cough?

Here's where things can get confusing!

Children can have lingering congestion or a cough even as they're recovering from an illness. A mild runny nose or improving cough alone doesn't always mean they need to stay home.

Ask yourself:

Can my child comfortably make it through the school day?

If they're eating and drinking, have enough energy to participate, their symptoms are improving and they don't have a fever, they may be ready to return.

Every illness is different, though, and individual school or daycare policies may vary.

If your child needs a note to excuse an absence before they can return to school then an in office examination is required. We always have same day sick appointments available. Please contact our office to book an appointment before considering outside locations, such as Urgent Care.

🦠 Help Stop the Spread

We can't eliminate every school-year germ, but we can teach children habits that help reduce the spread of illness.

Encourage kids to:

🧼 Wash their hands regularly with soap and water.

🤧 Cough or sneeze into their elbow instead of their hands.

🙌 Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

🥤 Avoid sharing drinks, water bottles and utensils.

😴 Get enough sleep each night.

💧 Drink plenty of water.

Routine well-child visits and staying up to date on recommended vaccinations are also important parts of keeping children healthy throughout the school year.

“But They Seemed Fine This Morning!”

We've all been there.

Children can wake up seeming perfectly fine and develop symptoms later in the day. Other times, they may wake up with a mild symptom that disappears after breakfast.

Instead of focusing on just one symptom, look at the whole child.

Are they unusually tired? Are they eating and drinking? Are they playful and acting like themselves? Can they comfortably participate in class without needing more care than their teacher or school nurse can reasonably provide?

Those clues can help parents decide whether it's time for the backpack or the blanket and couch.

❤️ When in Doubt, Give Us a Call

Parents aren't expected to diagnose every cough, fever, rash or stomachache at home.

If you're unsure whether your child's symptoms need to be evaluated, whether they are ready to return to school, or if something simply doesn't seem right, contact our office.

We are always happy to help you determine the next best step for your child.

Here's to a happy and hopefully healthy school year from all of us at North Shore Pediatrics! 🎒🍎