This is a question that vexes parents. We are all mostly aware that we should keep sick children home, both for their safety, as well as of other children. Yet, are there are any objective criteria?

When should they definitely not be sent to school?

• Fever: Whenever your child has fever, do not send him to school! You do know how to check his temperature, don’t you? He could be coming down with something more sinister and contagious like chicken pox or measles, and he may be putting many other children at risk of acquiring the disease.
  Do not send to school unless the child remains without fever for at least 24 hours without using any drugs to control fever.
• Loose motions or vomiting: Children can become dehydrated and salt depleted and may even have episodes of fainting and unconsciousness that can result in severe injury. It is psychologically devastating to the child if she has an ‘accident’ while at schools. Even if she just throws up, it is messy and difficult for both the teachers and other children to accept.
• Change in behavior: Any clinging behavior or any behavior that is different from normal should alert you that the child is not ready for school on that day and this may be a harbinger of a serious illness developing. Better that you and your child take it easy that day!
• Red Eye:  Viral conjunctivitis can be highly contagious and it is best to keep your

  

  child at home, till your doctor advises that it is safe to send her to school.

When is it safe to send your child to school?

So, if your child has the sniffles and a mild cough, but is quite active and playful, it should be fine to send him to school. Remember to send plenty of tissues with him and teach him how to sneeze and cough into the tissues and dispose it off safely. You have taught your child how to cough and sneeze, haven’t you?

When you do decide to send your child to school, please inform the teacher that the child is feeling slightly under the weather, but is otherwise playful and active. Give your emergency contact number to both your child and his teacher so that they can contact you immediately, in case his illness worsens.

Above all be considerate, if you would not want your child to be around with another child who has the same symptoms as your child, then the decision is easy and made for you – avoid school on that day.