By Heidi Hoff, BSN, RN
When sickness hits your family, managing germs, rest, and school attendance is crucial to preventing the spread of illness. With COVID-19 reshaping how we approach common colds, flu, and other bugs, knowing when to keep your child home has never been more important.
As parents, trust your internal compass. Ifyour child has a fever, they should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. According to the CDC, you should keep your child home if they have draining skin sores that cannot be covered or respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or unexplained by another cause, such as seasonal allergies. This helps prevent additional strain on schools and protects other students.
Teach children proper hygiene, like regular handwashing and avoiding nose-picking. Encourage them to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated, especially in high-elevation areas where water needs increase. A good rule of thumb is to drink half their body weight in ounces, plus 32 extra ounces if you live in higher elevations.
Rest is essential for recovery. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, as rest boosts the immune system. Regularly wipe down surfaces and avoid sharing personal items like toothbrushes and cups. Don’t forget to replace toothbrushes after an illness like strep throat, which can linger on surfaces.
Your child can return to school when they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without medication, vomiting has resolved overnight, diarrhea has improved, and respiratory symptoms are getting better. Any skin sores should be crusting over and under treatment. Bloody diarrhea or a rash with fever should be evaluated by a healthcare provider before returning.
As children grow older, empower them to advocate for their own health. Teach them to recognize when they feel unwell and make responsible decisions—such as resting and staying hydrated—building lifelong habits for managing their well-being.
Stay well and take care!