Kids Health Watch is Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group
Now that we are a few months into the school year and moving into the height of sick season, it’s a good time to review when a child should stay home from school or daycare. The most important factor is always how the child is acting and feeling, but there are some helpful guidelines that can make the decision easier.
If a child has a fever, they should stay home. A fever is defined as a temperature above 100.4F. Kids are considered contagious until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medicines such as Tylenol or Motrin. Temperatures can be checked in different ways depending on the age of the child, but the exact number is often less important than the way your child looks and behaves.
Cold symptoms are common this time of year and include runny nose, congestion, and cough. While mucus can spread germs, a runny nose by itself is not always a reason to stay home. What matters most is whether your child is acting normally and able to participate in activities. If they are very tired, not eating, or clearly miserable, it is best to keep them home to rest. Most colds worsen over the first few days and then start to improve within 24 to 48 hours.
Vomiting and diarrhea are also important reasons to consider keeping your child home. If your child has vomited, they should be free from vomiting for at least 24 hours before returning to school or daycare. Diarrhea is sometimes more complicated because it can last longer. For older children, if they can make it to the bathroom on time and are only having a few loose stools a day, they may return as long as they feel well. For younger children in diapers, if stools are contained and limited to just a few extra episodes beyond their usual, they are often fine to return once they are otherwise acting like themselves.
Rashes are less straightforward since some can be contagious and others are not. In general, if a rash is dry and not oozing or crusting, it is less likely to spread. If you are unsure, it is always best to check with your pediatrician.
At the end of the day, trust your instincts—if your child doesn’t seem well enough to fully participate, a little extra rest at home is often the best medicine.
Author: Savannah Browning
Dr. Savannah Browning grew up in Fayette, AL. She moved to Mobile to attend Medical School at the University of South Alabama in 2009, and has been a proud Mobilian ever since. She joined Children’s Medical Group in 2016, and her office is at the Airport Boulevard location. She lives in Mobile with her husband, Andrew, and their three children: Jude, Luke, and Annie.
