When to Keep Your Child Home from School Due to Illness

by Johnny Amaraneni

Jan 30, 2025 Medical

When to Keep Your Child Home from School Due to Illness

As a parent, it can be challenging to decide whether your child is too sick for school. While you don’t want them to miss valuable learning time, sending a sick child to school can put their health and the health of other students at risk. To help make the decision easier, Pelican Urgent Care has put together a guide on when to keep your child home from school due to illness.

1. Fever (100.4°F or Higher)

A fever is often a sign of infection and can make your child feel sluggish and uncomfortable. If your child has a fever of 100.4°F or higher, they should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

2. Severe Coughing or Difficulty Breathing

A persistent or severe cough, especially if accompanied by wheezing or difficulty breathing, can indicate a respiratory infection such as bronchitis or even pneumonia. If your child is having trouble breathing or their cough is disruptive, they should stay home and be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

3. Vomiting or Diarrhea

If your child has vomited more than once or has frequent diarrhea, it’s best to keep them home. They should remain at home for at least 24 hours after the last episode to prevent spreading illness to others.

4. Sore Throat with Fever or White Patches

A mild sore throat may not be a concern, but if it is accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing, or white patches on the throat, it could be strep throat. Your child should be tested for strep, and if positive, they should stay home until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

5. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Red, itchy, watery eyes with discharge can be a sign of pink eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and your child should stay home until they have been on antibiotic eye drops for at least 24 hours.

6. Unexplained Rash

If your child has a widespread or unexplained rash, especially if it is accompanied by fever or itching, they should be seen by a doctor before returning to school. Some rashes, such as those from chickenpox or hand, foot, and mouth disease, are highly contagious.

7. Head Lice

While head lice are not a serious health concern, they are highly contagious. Your child should stay home until they have been treated and all live lice are removed.

8. Fatigue and General Illness

If your child is unusually tired, irritable, or unable to participate in normal activities, it may be best to let them rest at home, even if they don’t have a specific diagnosis.

When to Seek Medical Care

If your child is experiencing persistent symptoms, high fever, trouble breathing, or dehydration, it’s best to seek medical attention. Pelican Urgent Care is here to help with same-day visits, so you can get your child the care they need quickly.

Final Thoughts

As a general rule, if your child is too sick to participate in school activities, it’s best to keep them home. Keeping sick children at home not only helps them recover faster but also prevents the spread of illness to classmates and teachers. When in doubt, consult a healthcare provider for guidance.

If your child needs a medical evaluation, visit Pelican Urgent Care for quick, compassionate care. We’re open seven days a week to help keep your family healthy!