Back to School: When to stay home sick

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — From stomach aches to sniffles or worse, it can sometimes be difficult to decide when your child needs to take a sick day from school.

“So, if your child is sick, not appearing well in the morning, please keep them home,” said Heidi Sowala, Virginia Beach City Public Schools coordinator of health services.

Kids should never go to school if they are vomiting, have a cough that disrupts normal activity, have a painful earache or sore throat, or if they have a fever.

“Please don’t give them medication to stop the fever and then send them to school because their medication will wear off and we’ll be calling you to come pick up your student,” Sowala said.

When it comes to COVID-19, the rules have changed. The CDC now suggests you treat it like the flu or RSV. That means kids can return to school when their fever has been gone for 24 hours and other symptoms are improving.

Staying home when you have a fever helps stop the spread of viruses.

If you’re child has a chronic disease, such as asthma or allergies that may make them cough or otherwise appear ill, talk with their teacher and school nurse.

“We also would encourage them to have their medication in school to help them feel better so they can get through their day,” Sowala said.

Just remember, kids cannot carry their own medication — not even ibuprofen. That’s a rule breaker. If your child needs medication, you must go through the nurse’s office.

The goal, of course, is to stay healthy so you don’t need to miss class. Protecting your child from illnesses starts with good hygiene — frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, getting plenty of rest and a healthy diet.

It’s also important to make sure they have an annual physical and all their vaccinations are up to date.

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