When To Stay Home When Sick
FEVER
A measured temperature equal to or greater than 100.4°F orally.
- MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever- reducing medicine (may be extended if also a COVID illness)
COUGH
Persistent cough that is not yet diagnosed OR any cough that is frequent or severe enough to interfere with participation in usual school activities.
- MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours (no cough or cough is well-controlled)
- If diagnosed with COVID-19 student must be excluded from school for at least 5 days.
- If pertussis (“whooping cough”) is diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider, student must be excluded from school until completion of a 5-day course of prescribed antibiotics.
DIARRHEA:
Three or more watery or loose stools in 24 hours OR sudden onset of loose stools
- MAY RETURN AFTER 48 hours after diarrhea resolves OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.
VOMITING:
At least 1 episode that is unexplained.
- MAY RETURN AFTER 48 hours after last episode of vomiting
STREP THROAT:
Painful to swallow. Usually caused by a virus but 20% of the time is caused by a bacteria commonly known as Strep throat. If pain is mild does not need to be excluded from school.
- If Strep Throat MAY RETURN AFTER 24 hours of antibiotics and fever free.
SKIN RASH OR SORES:
New rash not previously diagnosed by a health care provider OR if rash is increasing in size OR if new sores or wounds are developing day-to-day OR if rash, sores, or wounds are draining and cannot be completely covered with a bandage.
- MAY RETURN AFTER rash is resolved OR until sores and wounds are dry or can be completed covered with a bandage OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.
EYE REDNESS AND DRAINAGE:
Unexplained redness of one or both eyes OR colored drainage from the eyes
- MAY RETURN AFTER pus has resolved OR after 24 hours of antibiotic drops
- Eye redness alone, with no colored drainage, may be acceptable after school nurse assessment.