Determining whether or not your child should attend school or stay at home can be a parent or guardian's toughest decision of the day. Use these guidelines to make the best decision for your child and for the health of others.

►Keep at Home...if your child exhibits any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Fever of 100 degrees F (when measured orally)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Flu-like symptoms such as body aches, fever, headache
• Persistent cough

►Send to School...if your child exhibits the following mild signs or symptoms:

• Ear infection, no pain
• After 24 hours of treatment for eye infection
• Minor cold (runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat)
• After 24 hours of treatment for Scabies or Lice infestation
• Cold sores (should be kept covered when possible)
• After 24 hours of medication for Strep Throat
• Vague "I don't feel good" symptoms or complaints

►BEFORE sending your child to school, be sure s/he is without fever, vomiting, diarrhea for at least 24 hours without a fever reducing medication (i.e., acetaminophen, ibuprofen).


►See a Doctor...if your child exhibits these signs or symptoms, which may indicate a more serious condition:

• Respiratory illness: if your child has fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, seek medical care at once!
• Undiagnosed skin rash
• Suspected eye infection
• Flu-like symptoms including body aches, fever, headache