During flu season, parents try their best to keep their children healthy, but occasionally even the most attentive precautions are ineffective.
Keeping your child home from school while they are contagious will aid in their quick recovery. In order to keep everyone as healthy as possible, it also aids in preventing the virus from infecting other students at the school.
The advice of medical specialists is for unwell children to stay home until they are healthy enough to return to school. This usually occurs 24 hours after symptoms start to go better. It can, however, occasionally be challenging to decide if your child is well enough to go back to school.
Fever
If your kid has a temperature of 100.4°F or above, it is better to keep them at home. Fever is a sign that the body is battling an illness, making your kid more susceptible and probably infectious. Consider sending your child back to school at least 24 hours after the temperature has subsided and controlled without the need of medicine.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Diarrhea and vomiting are also valid excuses for your youngster to stay at home. These symptoms are challenging for students to manage in the classroom and demonstrate that the youngster is still capable of infecting others. Additionally, numerous episodes of diarrhea and vomiting in younger kids may make it challenging to maintain proper cleanliness, raising the infection’s risk of spreading. Prior to thinking about going back to school, give it at least 24 hours since the most recent occurrence.
Fatigue
Your child is not likely to gain from sitting in class all day if they are dozing off at the table or otherwise seeming really worn out. Keep your youngster well-hydrated and allow them to sleep in their own bed. Your child may appear sluggish if their degree of exhaustion exceeds what you would anticipate from a usual mild sickness. A physician should be consulted right away if your kid exhibits lethargy, which is a dangerous symptom.
Your child is not likely to gain from sitting in class all day if they are dozing off at the table or otherwise seeming really worn out. Keep your youngster well-hydrated and allow them to sleep in their own bed. Your child may appear sluggish if their degree of exhaustion exceeds what you would anticipate from a usual mild sickness. A physician should be consulted right away if your kid exhibits lethargy, which is a dangerous symptom.
Persistent Cough or Sore Throat
It’s likely that a persistent cough may disturb the lesson. It is also a key method of viral infection transmission. Keep your child at home if they have a persistent cough and a severe sore throat until the cough is almost completely gone. Your child’s doctor may also need to test them for diseases like strep throat, which is very infectious but is also readily treated with medications.
Irritated Eyes or Rashes
Your child may find it challenging to concentrate in class if they have red, itchy, or watery eyes. It’s a good idea to send your child to the doctor if they develop a rash since it might occasionally be a sign of another infection. It is often advisable to keep your child at home until these symptoms go away or until you have spoken with the doctor. Conjunctivitis, often known as pink eye, has to be recognized as soon as possible since it is very contagious and spreads swiftly through daycare facilities and schools.
Appearance and Attitude
Does your kid appear lethargic or pale? Do they appear agitated or uninterested in carrying out routine everyday tasks? Is it difficult for you to convince your kid to eat anything? All of them indicate that further healing time at home is required.
Pain
Aches like those in the ears, stomach, brain, and body are frequently signs that your kid is still battling the flu. It is preferable to keep them at home until any pain or discomfort has subsided since they can easily infect other kids with the illness.
Call the school and ask to talk with the nurse if you’re still undecided about keeping your child home from school. The school nurse would be pleased to discuss with you the broad rules that most schools have in place for when it is safe to send sick children back to class. These recommendations could be found online as well.
How to Manage a Sick Day
You may encounter several extra difficulties if you determine that your child must unquestionably stay at home. Should you take a sick day? How can a stay-at-home mother manage taking care of her other children while one of them is ill? Here are some strategies for being ready for sick days at school.
Talk to Your Employer Ahead of Time
Ask About Your Options
Have a Backup Plan
Prepare Supplies
Be Diligent About Hygiene
How to Know When It’s Safe to Send Your Child Back to School
While figuring out when your child is well enough to return to school may be simple, it is frequently more challenging to do so. Sending your child back to school too soon will prolong their recovery and increase the risk of the virus spreading to other students. You can use the parameters that are listed below to decide if your kid is prepared to start school again.
No Fever
Medication
Only Mild Symptoms Present
Attitude and Appearance Improve
If your child is looking and acting like they are feeling much better, then it is typically safe for them to go back to school.
In the end, you may have to rely on your parental intuition to make the final call. You know your child better than anyone, so you’ll be able to tell when they’re feeling better. Do they look too miserable to go to school? Are they playing and acting normally, or are they happy to curl up in a chair with a blanket? Trust your intuition to make the best decision. If you have any doubts, always remember you can ask others such as the school nurse or your child’s pediatrician. They will be glad to offer you advice.