How to Decide Whether a Sick Child Should Go to School
The difficulty with deciding whether or not a sick child should go to school is in accurately assessing the symptoms. Children sometimes pretend to be sick to avoid going to school, for various reasons. If you believe your child is actually feeling ill, gauge his complaints and try to diagnose the problem, to decide if he should go to school.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Ask your child what her symptoms are. Vague descriptions of pain can indicate false complaints or mild discomfort. Children sometimes have trouble articulating their pain or feelings, so work with your child to determine what is wrong with her. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or similar symptoms need consideration. Treat moderate pain, such as headaches or muscle soreness, with child ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and send her to school.
-
2
Take your child's temperature. If he runs a fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, he should definitely stay home, according to Web MD. Fever reducers like ibuprofen can ease discomfort.
-
-
3
Observe your child before it's time to send her to school. If pain or discomfort persists or symptoms worsen, don't send her to school.
-
4
Contact the school nurse or administration to ask about school policies regarding keeping sick children out of school. Schools often recommend how long a child should stay home with illnesses like chicken pox, the flu or a cold. Symptoms of a cold or the flu include headache, fever, nausea, dizziness and weakness.
-
5
Bring your child to a doctor or medical professional if he exhibits moderate to severe pain or discomfort. If your child has problems with vision, hearing or using the bathroom, bring him to the emergency room. Remember, you can always contact your family doctor's office and describe symptoms to determine if your child is well enough to go to school.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit ballyscanlon/Digital Vision/Getty Images
