Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

School Health Services

1301 Piccard Dr.

Rockville, MD  20850

(240) 777-1550

 

 

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL

 

 

                                When your child is sick, keep him/her home from school.  This not only benefits your child but other children and staff in the classroom at school.

 

WHAT ARE              Some important signs of illness are:

IMPORTANT

SIGNS OF                  1.      A temperature of more than 100o orally

ILLNESS?                  2.      Nausea or vomiting

                                             3.      Stomachache

                                             4.      Diarrhea

                                             5.      Pale or flushed face

                                             6.      Headache

                                             7.      Persistent cough

                                             8.      Earache

                                             9.      Thick yellowish discharge from nose

                                            10.     Sore throat

                                            11.     Rash or infection of the skin

                                            12.     Red or pink eyes

                                            13.     Loss of energy or decrease in activity

 

WHAT SHOULD I    If your child has any of these symptoms when it is time for school,

DO IF MY CHILD     it is best that he/she stay home.  Most childhood illnesses are over soon

HAS ANY OF           and no cause for worry.  But, if the symptoms are severe or persist for

THESE SIGNS?      more than 24 hours, you should contact your private source of medical

                                         care.

 

                                Children sometimes use illness as an excuse to miss school.  On the other hand, some children force themselves to go to school even though they are sick.  There may be times that your child does not show signs of the above-noted symptoms but may be ill. It is up to you to be alert to your child's health and to decide when it is best to send him/her to school.

 

WHEN MAY MY       Generally, your child may return to school when he/she is free of signs

CHILD RETURN     of illness.  However, there may be times when it is necessary for your

TO SCHOOL            child to see your source of medical care before returning to school.

AFTER AN               Please call your school nurse if you have any questions regarding a

ILLNESS?               specific condition.

 

WHAT WILL             If your child complains of being sick or does not look well after he/she

HAPPEN IF MY       reaches school, we will contact you.  Therefore, it is important that you

CHILD BECOMES   provide the school with up-to-date information and phone numbers to

ILL AT SCHOOL?     call in case it is necessary to contact you.