By Patricia Pollock, R.N.
November 23, 2007
Is it the dreaded school-itis or should you keep your child home?
Here are some recommendations from school nurses to help parents understand when, and for how long, a sick child should be kept at home.
* Fever: Keep them home during the course of the fever and for 24 hours after the fever has passed.
* A bad cough or cold symptoms: If the child is not acting normally, has a fever, has difficulty breathing or is not drinking enough fluids, keep the child home and call the doctor.
* Diarrhea or vomiting: If there’s more than one incident of either or both, or in combination with stomachache, keep them home and return to school after symptom-free for 24 hours.
* Sore throat: Keep the child home if he or she is not acting right, has difficulty swallowing or has other symptoms such as fever, stomachache, nausea, or a rash.
* Eye itching, burning, redness or discharge: Keep the child home and call the doctor.
* Ear pain or infection: Keep the child home and call the doctor.
* Antibiotics prescribed by the doctor: Keep the child home and return to school after the child has been on the medication for 24 hours.
* Head Lice: Keep the child home until initial treatment is completed.
When in doubt, keep them home. Hugs and kisses work wonders!
Patricia “Pat” Pollock has been a nurse for more than 30 years. She and her husband have been New Castle residents for 20 years and have two Greeley graduates, Matthew, class of 2000, and Zach, class of 2006. She has provided nursing and nurturing at Bell Middle School since 2003, as well as at New Castle’s Camp Adventure since 2000.
Copyright 2008 NewCastleNOW.org