When to Keep Your Child Home from School | Silver Spring Pediatric Care
Why This Matters for Parents
Every parent faces the same question: Is my child too sick for school today? Knowing when to keep your child home—and when it’s safe for them to return—helps protect other students, prevents unnecessary absences, and ensures your child gets the care they need.
✅ When to Keep Your Child Home
1. Fever
If your child has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, keep them home. They should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without medicine before returning.
2. Vomiting or Diarrhea
Children with stomach bugs should stay home until symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours and they can eat normally.
3. Contagious Illnesses
If your child has pink eye, strep throat, or flu-like symptoms, they should stay home until cleared by a doctor or after 24 hours of antibiotics (for bacterial infections).
4. Severe Cough or Breathing Issues
A persistent cough, wheezing, or difficulty breathing is a sign to rest at home and possibly call your pediatrician.
5. Rash with Other Symptoms
Some rashes signal contagious illnesses. If the rash is widespread, painful, or paired with fever, keep your child home and seek medical advice.
✅ When It’s Usually Okay to Send Them to School
Mild cold symptoms: If your child has a runny nose but no fever or cough, it’s typically safe.
Minor sore throat: Without fever or swollen glands, it’s usually not contagious.
Allergies: Seasonal allergy symptoms like sneezing or watery eyes are not contagious.
💡 Tips for Parents
Teach kids proper handwashing to reduce the spread of germs.
Encourage them to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Keep a “sick day plan” for childcare in case your child needs to stay home.
When to Call the Doctor
If your child has a high fever, dehydration, breathing difficulty, or severe pain, it’s time to consult your primary care provider.
Contact Family Health Practice in Silver Spring if you’re unsure whether your child should stay home. Our team is here to help you make the best decision.
FAQs
What is the fever cutoff for school?
Most schools follow the rule: keep kids home if their fever is 100.4°F or higher, and only return once fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
Can my child go to school with a cough?
Mild coughs are okay, but keep them home if coughing is persistent, disruptive, or paired with fever or breathing issues.
Is pink eye contagious?
Yes. Children should stay home until treated with antibiotics for at least 24 hours (for bacterial conjunctivitis) or until cleared by a doctor.
What if my child feels fine but still has a runny nose?
If it’s mild and not accompanied by fever or fatigue, it’s usually okay to send them to school.
