Guidelines
Whether Your Child Should
Nurse Debbie
Be at School...............
1) FEVER….Your child should stay home if their temp is above 100.4*F. A feverish child is not only considered contagious, but he’s also probably not feeling well enough to learn or participate. Keep your child home until he’s free of fever for 24 hours and is feeling like his usual self. Please do not treat a child’s temp and then send him to school. You will most likely be getting a call from the nurse around lunchtime if not before to come and pick your child and he will have exposed other students he may have come in contact with.
2) VOMITING…..If your child has vomited two or more times in 24hrs, they should stay at home. To ward off dehydration, offer small amounts fluid frequently, increasing the amount as tolerated. Don’t automatically send your child back once the vomiting stops. If she is not markedly better after a few days, call your doctor.
3) RED EYES…..If your child has an eye that is stuck shut, bright red, and/or oozing yellow or green discharge, these symptoms indicate pinkeye (conjunctivitis). The child is to stay at home until symptoms are gone. Most times Dr’s will give antibiotic eye drops.
4) DIARRHEA…..Kids who have the runs more than three times a day and/or have poop so watery that they might soil their clothing, usually have an infection that can be spread. If you see blood or mucus in the stool, call your doctor. As with vomiting, watch for signs of dehydration and follow the same prevention advice.
5) SORE THROAT…..If the achy throat is accompanied by fever, swollen glands, headache, or stomachache, they should be checked for strep throat. Children with strep should be on antibiotics and may return to school after being treated for 48hrs.
6) STOMACHACHE….. If this is the only symptom and they’re active, send them off. It could signal constipation or a case of the nerves (in which a hug will go far). Any stomachache associated with fever, vomiting and diarrhea, no interest in play warrants a visit to the doctor. Sharp stomach pain and a rigid belly can be signs of severe constipation, appendicitis, or a bowel obstruction.
7) COLDS…..Your child should stay at home if he has a persistent, phlegmy cough and seem cranky or lethargic. He’s also cough-bound if his cold symptoms are accompanied by wheeze of fever. Remind your child when he does cough, to cover his mouth or cough into his elbow. If symptoms last longer than 1 week, you should call your doctor.
8) RASH….. If the rash has blisters your child may have chickenpox-stay home and call your doctor. If your child has bright red cheeks and a rash they may have Fifth’s Disease. If they have no fever, generally they may return to school. Any rash the nurse feels may be contagious may require a doctor’s note stating it is ok for the child to be at school.
Generalized malaise, lack of appetite, or not feeling well. Sometimes kids just get overwhelmed by hectic lifestyles. Parent you will be the best judge of whether to send your child to school with these symptoms. In general, most school age children need eight to ten hours of sleep each night, and should drink six to eight glasses of liquid each day, along with eating balanced meals that include all the five food groups. If your child has not been getting these vital nutrients and rest, a day home from school may help a weakened body to recover. If the symptoms persist, make an appointment with your doctor. Never take chances with your son or daughter’s health.