How ill is too ill?
In general, children are too sick to come to school when:
- They are contagious
- Their symptoms are serious enough to prevent them from focusing on the tasks they need to do in school
Use this checklist to see whether to keep your child home from school.
- Does your child have a fever above 37.8°C?
- Has your child vomited two or more times in a 24 hour period?
- Does your child have diarrhea?
- Are your child’s eyes crusty, bright red, and/or discharging yellow or green fluid?
- If your child complains of a sore throat, is it accompanied by fever, headache, stomachache or swollen glands?
- If your child complains of a stomachache, is it accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, sharp pain or a hard belly?
- Does your child have a persistent, phlegmy cough?
- Does your child have lice (white, translucent eggs the size of a pinpoint on the hair or insects on the scalp)?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please keep your child home from school and consider seeking medical attention. Your child could have a serious or contagious illness. Keep your child home until they have been symptom free for 24 hours or until the doctor indicates they can return to school.
Children who have a cold, headache or stomachache that is not accompanied by a fever, vomiting or diarrhea can probably come to school.
If your child has a rash, it could be contagious. Please seek medical advice before allowing your child to come to school.
Earaches are not contagious. Children can come to school if they can concentrate on their work.
Once your child has been treated for lice, they can return to school.
