By Peggy Bryson, R.N. Calvary Christian School Nurse
The major decision of the morning – When your child says “I don’t feel well.”
Some mornings we all feel like staying home. With our children, it can be a real issue to determine if they are truly sick or just having a “schoolitis” day. Below are some general guidelines that All Parents should follow to help make a decision to stay or go to school.
Determine if your child is truly sick or is having a “schoolitis” day.
If your child has the following symptoms, he or she should stay home for 24 hours without the aid of medication to alleviate the symptoms:
- Fever that is higher than 99.6 (many schools require children to be fever free for 24 hours without medication before going back to school)
- Nausea and Vomiting or Diarrhea (Stay home for 24 hours from the last episode of gastric issues. This can be highly contagious and your child would not want to have this occurring while they are at school.)
- Extreme Fatigue
- Pink eye (highly contagious and should be treated by a physician)
- Pain that is not tolerable (such as ear pain with drainage)
- Breathing issues that are not normal or not responding to prescribed medication
Visit your pediatrician if you have these symptoms.
If your child has any of the following symptoms please call or visit your pediatrician:
- Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than a few hours
- Any cold or cough that doesn’t go away after six or seven days
- Cold worsens and child develops a fever
- Ear pain with a fever, or drainage leaking from the ear
- Sharp and persistent stomach or abdominal pains
- Severe sore throat
- Blood in urine or diarrhea
Remember when a child has a fever or a sick stomach, he or she feels miserable, and, therefore, can exert very little energy for actual learning. However, those germs are rapidly incubating, and can quickly turn a classroom into a sick room. Following the guidelines above will result in a healthier school environment and in your child’s comfort and wellness. When in doubt, consult your pediatrician. Remember to always check your school’s policy on sickness.
Source: Calvaryknights.com (reprinted with permission)
