It's a question parents face often during cold and flu season: when is your child too sick for school?
In this WLTX news story, Dr. Caroline Webber of Lexington Pediatric Practice, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice, breaks down what to look for when deciding if your student needs a day at home.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell. But according to Dr. Webber, there are a few key clues. Learn more by watching the video below.
Dr. Webber breaks down the most important factors to keep in mind.
Q: What are signs that your child needs to stay home from school? A: Fever: a child with a fever should not go to school. A fever is defined as a temperature above 100.4 degrees. Also, keep your child at home if you feel they're not well enough to participate in class or they would be distracting to others because of coughing or blowing their nose constantly. And, don't send them to school if they're in pain.
Q: What if you have a hard time telling if your child is sick? A: You know your child the best. If they're not obviously sick with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, consider if they will be at their best at school.
Q: When can they go back? A: Once your child is free of a fever for 24 hours, they would not be considered contagious. If they're diagnosed with bacterial infection and taking antibiotics, they can go back to school 24 hours after they begin taking the antibiotics. They're also considered well enough for school 24 hours after vomiting.
