A Moment with Marley

When is Sick Too Sick for School

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In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we we want to talk about a very timely topic of when is sick too sick for school. This time of year, it is common for children to have a runny or stuffy nose, but when is it okay to send your child to school and when should you keep them home?

One of our Public Health Nurses who works in a Meriden school is here to provide you with some tips on when to send your children to school, when to keep them home, and when you should follow up with their doctor. If you ever have any questions, please contact the public health nurse at your child’s school for further guidance.

Children are okay to come to school if:

  • They have a runny nose or just a little cough, but no other symptoms.
  • They have not taken any fever reducing medicine in 24 hours, and they have not had a fever during that time, or.
  • They have not thrown up or had any diarrhea in 24 hours.

    • Children should stay at home if:

    • They have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher; they should be kept home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medicine.
    • They are diagnosed with a respiratory virus such as influenza, RSV, or COVID-19. They can return to school when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
      • Their symptoms are getting better overall, and
      • They have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medicine).
      • They are throwing up or have diarrhea, or.
      • Their eyes are pink and crusty, which could be a sign of pink eye.

        • You should follow up with their doctor if:

        • They have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher for more than two days.
        • They have been throwing up or have diarrhea for more than two days.
        • They still have asthma symptoms after using their asthma medication (and call 911 if they still having trouble breathing after using an inhaler), or
        • They have a rash that is blistering, widespread, or of unknown origin.

          • When in doubt, it is always best to follow up with your child’s doctor. For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com.  

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          A Moment with MarleyBy Meriden DOH