Deciding whether or not kids, ill as they may be, should go to school at all is one of the toughest choices in life that parents will ever have to go through. But every morning as your kid wakes up and greets you spiffily and with a low cough, you say to yourself, “Should I take them to school or should they stay home? Your child’s health is as important as the health of any other classmate in that school in terms of whether or not one will remain at home.
Common Symptoms: When to keep your child home
1. Fever –
The signs indicate that they are ill can differ so much; some of them being just mild symptoms and others on the more serious side. We get asked this a lot so here’s an easy guide to check if your child is too sick for school. The fever is prevalent. A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (or above; equivalent to this in Celsius, 38°C) is usually considered a “fever”; keep your child home until she has been without fever for at least twenty-four hours. Usually, a fever results from your body fighting off an infection.
2. Vomiting or diarrhoea –
If he’s been sick to the point of vomiting or diarrhoea, that’s quite obviously a no-brainer. He gets to stay home. That’s often really contagious and really tiring for your child to cope with throughout school. Keep your child home until they have not vomited or had diarrhoea for at least 24 hours. And most importantly, keep them hydrated!
3. Coughing and congestion –
A little cough or runny nose may not be reason enough to keep your child out of school. On the other hand, if a child is coughing to the extent that they cannot focus or sleep, especially when accompanied by wheezing or difficulty breathing — then it IS time to keep them home. If they have a chronic dry or painful barking type of cough that is not going away then you should in fact keep them home.
4. Sore throat –
Anyone can have a sore throat, from mild discomfort to severe pain. If your child has a minimally sore throat, they may be able to go. However, if a sore throat is accompanied by a fever, pain while swallowing or swollen glands, it could be strep and you should keep them home. If Soreness in the Throat is attended by none of the severe symptoms, the school can be still probable. In case, the sore throat is deep then you should go to a doctor.
5. Rash –
Find out the cause of a rash before determining if it will keep your child home from school although harmless rashes are common, some can also be contagious. If the patient has a fever with rash, itching or pain keep them at home and consult a doctor. A rash, especially with other symptoms could be a reason to keep your child home from the classroom until they are seen by a doctor.
When it’s okay to send your child to school
It does not mean that every symptom indicates your child should stay home. Then there are minor illnesses when learning and social activities aren’t hindered. The following is a list of times when sending your child to school isn’t unreasonable.
- Mild cold symptoms such as a runny nose or minor cough without fever & etc.
- Allergies: In the case of fever or its equivalent, they would be fine at school.
- Earache: If the earache isn’t severe (a bit of mild pain) and your child is not running a fever, you can manage with advice from your mom in consultation with the doctor and send him to school.
Conditions to monitor for your child’s well-being
1. Flu –
While there are more serious illnesses out there, you must understand when your child is sick and how to react to various symptoms. The flu is NOT just a bad cold. If your child has symptoms that include high fever, chills, and body fatigue then it is very clear that the flu has hit him and he must be kept home. Yes, the flu is contagious and by keeping your child at home not only do they recover faster but don’t spread it to others.
2. Pink eye (Conjunctivitis) –
Pink eyes are red, itchy eyes and occasionally a sticky discharge from the eye, but this problem is highly infectious. Your child may also need to stay home if they have symptoms of pink eye since it could mean they need treatment with antibiotic eye drops.
3. COVID-19 –
These days symptoms like cough, fever, loss of taste or smell and difficulty breathing in a child must first trigger consideration of COVID-19. Please, get tested and speak with your doctor. Some schools also have individual quarantine and return dates based on local guidelines.
How to prepare for sick days?
Tips for parents
- Consider Your Child’s Needs. Every child is unique, so it’s important to consider their individual strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
- Keep a stock of fever-reducing medications, fluids, and tissues at home. A cosy blanket, a favourite book, or a movie can also make your child feel more at ease when they’re not feeling well.
- Ensure that your child’s school is informed about their symptoms and absence. Some schools may require a doctor’s note for longer absences.
- Help your child grasp the significance of hand washing, covering their mouth when they cough, and avoiding close contact with others when they’re feeling unwell. This can help prevent the spread of illness both at school and at home.
When to call the doctor?
- Your child has had a fever for over 2 days.
- They are struggling to breathe, or have chest pain.
- They claim very severe pain anywhere.
- Your child appears unusually lethargic, irritable, or unresponsive.
You never want to make yourself feel like a bad parent, but wondering if your child is too sick for school. By symptom awareness and differentiating between what is excusable under normal life conditions versus what needs a period of rest, you can make an informed decision. However, it is always an understandable caution to keep the child at home during contagious times. This not only allows them to get better but it keeps other children and school staff healthy. These few tips ensure their health, happiness, and readiness to head back once they feel better!!
At DPS Warangal, recognised as the best boarding school in India, we believe that the question of whether parents should send their child to school during illness is a complex and multi-layered one, demanding a re-examination of our priorities regarding student health and well-being. By shifting our focus from attendance to recovery, we open up opportunities for students to not only return to school healthy but to grow and thrive in a supportive environment.