The rhinovirus, norovirus, strep throat, and the flu are examples of microbial infections that can easily spread from person-to-person.
Sending a sick child to school is a school-wide invitation to getting sick. In fact, a child is often the most contagious during the first few days of initial symptoms.
Spread of Illness
Aerosol
The spread of illness usually occurs from poor hygiene practices as discussed below.
Coughing or sneezing propels the germs outward about five feet. A susceptible person exposed to the germs, within the boundaries of the aerosol, will likely become ill shortly thereafter.
Even covering the mouth and nose is no solution unless the child immediately washes her hands (before touching anything or anyone).
Fecal-Oral Route
Diarrhea is highly contagious and spread through contaminated hands touching food that others eat. This is especially important in and around the lunchroom at school. Instruct students to wash their hands thoroughly before eating food and after a visit to the bathroom.
When to Keep the Child Home
In general, a child who has a fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, and body aches may have the flu. If the child has the flu then she should be kept home and away from healthy individuals for about 7 days.
If a child has one or two of the symptoms above, vomiting, or diarrhea then it would be prudent to keep the child at home until the symptoms are gone for 24 hours.
Fever
Below are some important guidelines for determining when to keep a child home from school. For example, if a child is running a fever of 100.4 degrees or greater than keep the child at home.
A fever is a sign that the body is fighting something, and the best way to treat a fever is with plenty of liquids and rest. A child with a fever is going to be very uncomfortable and miserable. Moreover, a fever causes aches and pains, fatigue, lethargy, and an inability to focus.
Physical Symptoms
Sore Throat – Strep Throat
Children suffering from a sore throat, and who are unable to eat or drink without discomfort should be kept at home. The sore throat could be a symptom of a bacterial infection called strep throat; left untreated the bacteria could spread to the kidneys.
A child on antibiotics for strep throat can return to school once he has completed at least one full cycle of medication (24 hours).
Rash
A rash, like the measles and chicken pox, precedes many childhood illnesses for example. In addition, rashes can also be related to highly contagious skin conditions, like poison ivy or poison sumac.
Cough
A cough can be associated with a number of benign conditions such as dehydration and allergies. Unfortunately, it can also be a symptom of a contagious illness, like strep throat.
Runny Nose
Many children do not know how to blow their nose and will wipe the discharge on the back of their hand, their shirtsleeve, or on a tissue. The same hand can touch the hand of another child, a toy, book, or any other object. The germs, now spread, have the potential to cause illness.
Vomiting and Diarrhea (Stomach or Intestinal Aches)
Vomiting and diarrhea are classic symptoms of illness and a child who is experiencing either should be kept at home until she goes at least 24 hours without symptoms or as instructed by a doctor.
Moreover, either one of these conditions can result in dehydration; therefore, an assessment by a doctor is required.
Lastly, children are horrendous at cleaning up after themselves. Exposure to the unsuspecting child entering the bathroom afterwards will most likely result in illness.
When to Seek Medical Attention
A sick child at home will not necessarily need to see the doctor unless the following symptoms are present:
- A fever of 100.4 degrees or more
- A sore throat that prevents a child from eating or drinking
- Vomiting two or more times
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing or short of breath
- A spreading rash
In conclusion, sick children do not function well at school, are unhappy, uncomfortable, and generally miserable. The spread of germ causing microbes can greatly be reduced if sick children are kept at home. Keep the child at home until her symptoms are gone for 24 hours or the doctor has cleared the child for return to school.
Linda Mundorff - Dr. Linda Mundorff, MPH,MSN,ND,RN,CNC,CTN Retired. Registered Nurse/Board Certified Traditional Naturopath bridges2hlth@aol.com
