How to Handle School Sick Days
Parents do their best to keep kids healthy during flu season, but sometimes even the most vigilant preventive measures can’t ward off the flu.
When your child gets sick with the flu, keeping them home from school can help them recover faster. It also helps prevent the virus from spreading to other children in the school, which is critical to keeping everyone as healthy as possible.
Healthcare professionals recommend that sick children stay home until they're well enough to go back to school. This is typically about 24 hours after symptoms begin to improve. In some cases, however, it can be difficult to determine whether your child is well enough to return to school. Consider the following signs as you make your decision.
Fever
It’s best to keep your child at home if they have a temperature at or above 100.4°F. A fever indicates that the body is fighting off infection, which means that your child is vulnerable and likely contagious. Wait at least 24 hours after the fever has come down and stabilized without medication to consider sending your child back to school.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea are good reasons for your child to stay home. These symptoms are difficult to deal with at school and show that the child is still capable of spreading the infection to others. Additionally, in younger children, frequent episodes of diarrhea and vomiting may make appropriate hygiene difficult, increasing the risk of spreading the infection. Wait at least 24 hours after the last episode before considering a return to school.
Fatigue
If your little one is falling asleep at the table or acting particularly fatigued, they are unlikely to benefit from sitting in class all day. Make sure your child stays hydrated and let them rest in bed. If your child is exhibiting a level of fatigue that is beyond what you would expect from a typical mild illness, they may be lethargic. Lethargy is a serious sign and should be evaluated by your child’s pediatrician immediately.
Persistent Cough or Sore Throat
A persistent cough is likely to be disruptive in class. It is also one of the primary ways of spreading a viral infection. If your child has a severe sore throat and a lasting cough, keep them home until the cough is nearly gone or easily controlled. They may also require testing by your child’s doctor for illnesses such as strep throat, which are highly contagious but easily treated with antibiotics.
Irritated Eyes or Rashes
Red, itchy, and watery eyes can be difficult to manage in class and can distract your child from learning. In some cases, a rash may be a symptom of another infection, so it’s a good idea to take your child to the doctor. Keeping your child home is usually the best thing to do until these symptoms clear up or until you’ve spoken with the doctor. If your child has conjunctivitis, or pink eye, he or she needs to be diagnosed promptly, as this condition is highly contagious and can spread quickly through schools and day care centers.
Appearance and Attitude
Does your child look pale or tired? Do they seem irritable or disinterested in doing normal daily activities? Are you having a hard time getting your child to eat anything? These are all signs that more recovery time is needed at home.
Pain
Earaches, stomachaches, headaches, and body aches often indicate that your child is still fighting the flu. This means that they can easily spread the virus to other children, so it’s best to keep them home until any pain or discomfort has disappeared.
www.healthline.com › Cold and Flu › Kids
Dear Parents,
This week we will be working with the color "Blue".
We will be focusing on the following vocabulary: Jeans,
Ocean, sky, whale, blueberry, bird.
THEME:
The goal behind this theme is to help children learn about each other and each others' families! So, this is really an All About Me and My Family Theme.The theme helps children to realize that every person is unique and special; every child's thoughts and ideas are important and no one person is more or less important than another!
Vocabulary: father, mother, sister, brother, baby.
RHYME OF THE WEEK:
"LITTLE BOY BLUE"
STORY OF THE WEEK:
"The artist who painted a blue horse" by Eric Carle
MORE STORIES WE WILL BE READING:
Have a wonderful week!
