When is Your Child Too Sick For School?

There may be times when your child is too sick to attend school.

The information below courtesy of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department provides useful information to consider when deciding whether your child is too sick to attend school and when to contact a healthcare provider.

When Should I Send My Child to School?

• When they don’t feel great but are able to participate in normal activities.

When Should I Keep My Child Home From School?

• If they feel sick and have had a temperature of 100.4 or higher in the past 24 hours.
   
• If they have vomited two or more times in the past 24 hours.
   
• If they have had diarrhea three or more times in the past 24 hours.
   
• If they have a rash of unknown origin. They can return to school when a healthcare provider says it’s okay.
   
• If they have an oozing sore or wound that you can’t cover or contain.
   
• If they have COVID-19 symptoms, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea. In these cases, test for COVID-19. If positive, keep your child home for five days. They can return to school and wear a mask on days 6-10.

Call a Healthcare Provider if They…

• Have a temperature of 100.4 or higher for more than two days.
• Vomit or have diarrhea for more than two days.
• Have the sniffles for more than a week and aren’t getting better.
• Have asthma symptoms after using asthma medicine. If they have trouble breathing after using an inhaler, call 911.

Questions?

If you have questions about when to keep your child home from school for health-related reasons, please contact your healthcare provider or school nurse.