Community Corner

Moms Talk Q & A: How Sick is Too Sick for School?

This week the Moms Council gives advise on when to keep your ill child home.

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This week's question: How sick is too sick to send your child to school? I've seen a few questionable calls in recent weeks and am looking for some guidelines. Does it vary by age -- maybe a bad cough or lots of sneezing isn't enough to keep a third-grader home, but is it for a preschooler who has a tough time containing his/her germs? 

Melanie O'Brien: Our school sends out some guidelines at the beginning of the school year. Their recommendations say to keep kids home who have fevers, vomiting and/or a contagious disease like strep throat until the symptoms pass. I think those are all more obvious and the symptoms in the question are a little trickier.

My own stay-home policy: A constant cough that disturbs the child to the point he or she wouldn't be able to concentrate. Coughs are tricky as sometimes they last for a long time but don't interfere with learning. Children are taught in school how to contain their coughs so others should not get infected. So, really, only if the cough is particularly bad. Also, runny noses that the child cannot deal with on his or her own. Again, older kids may be able to handle a really runny nose, but many kindergartners will wipe their noses on their sleeves or let them run down their faces. It really depends on the ability of the child to take care of it. Although, with a runny nose that bad, children of all ages would be miserable. I would keep any child home if they are sick and miserable to the point that learning would be difficult.

Pam Sierzchulski: Common sense must prevail when deciding if you should send your children to school sick, assuming they are not running a fever or have a serious illness. Make your child's comfort your first priority. If your young one is sleepy or uncomfortable, they should not be in school if they cannot keep up with classroom activity or will be a distraction.

It is important to teach children of all ages proper hygiene methods, like coughing or sneezing into the crook of their arm instead of their hands; washing their hands often; and using and disposing of tissues properly. If your grade-schooler is over the worst of a cold, but still coughing and sneezing, as long as they are able to concentrate and stay awake, and be courteous around others, they can probably go to school.

Tip for working parents, it is highly recommended that you have "sick daycare" set up before you need it. Sign up for a paid service if possible or have a relative who would be on call. The last thing you need when your child is sick is to have to decide between missing a day of work, or sending your child to school when they are too ill.


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