Kids Health Watch is Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group
May is full of milestones—field trips, performances, and end-of-year celebrations. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when minor illnesses pop up, leaving parents questioning: Is my child well enough for school, or should they stay home? While not every sniffle requires a sick day, there are clear situations where staying home is the right choice.
A fever is one of the most reliable indicators. Any temperature of 100.4 F or higher means your child should remain home. Fever is often a sign that the body is actively fighting an infection, and children are typically most contagious during this time. This is also true when your child has been diagnosed with another illness, like an ear infection. They can return to school or daycare after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication and once their energy level has returned.
Vomiting and diarrhea are also reasons to stay home. These symptoms spread quickly in school settings and can lead to dehydration. Children should be kept home until they are eating and drinking normally and have gone a full 24 hours without vomiting, and the diarrhea is improving.
Respiratory symptoms can be more nuanced. A mild runny nose or occasional cough, without fever and with normal activity, is usually not a reason to miss school. However, a persistent or disruptive cough, rapid breathing, wheezing, or complaints of chest discomfort should prompt you to keep your child home and possibly seek medical advice.
Energy level is often overlooked, but it is a very important measure of illness, especially when paired with any of the above symptoms. A child who is too tired to participate, needs more rest than usual, or is not able to focus, will benefit more from a recovery day at home than pushing through the school day. And if this becomes a more recurrent issue, then it would be beneficial to take a trip to the pediatrician.
And then there are a few common conditions like pink eye, strep throat, and some rashes, which all have their own guidelines your pediatrician can help you navigate to help your child with treatment and to return to school sooner.
Making the call isn’t always easy, especially during such a busy time of year. When in doubt, erring on the side of rest supports your child’s recovery and helps prevent the spread of illness to others. And if you’re unsure, reaching out to your pediatrician can provide clarity and reassurance.
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, Annie and Sybil.
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.
