How to tell if your child is too sick for school

Updated:

COLD & FLUCold & FluMore>>
FDA: Know what's in your child's medications
FDA: Know what's in your child's medications
It's the time of year when cold season and allergy season overlap, and parents need to know the active ingredients in the medicines they give their children for these conditions.More >>
It's the time of year when cold season and allergy season overlap, and parents need to know the active ingredients in the medicines they give their children for these conditions.More >>
Scientists report clues to flu shot's effectiveness
Scientists report clues to flu shot's effectiveness
Flu vaccines protect people by activating white blood cells that, in turn, boost the development of antibodies to the flu, a new study suggests.More >>
Flu vaccines protect people by activating white blood cells that, in turn, boost the development of antibodies to the flu, a new study suggests.More >>
Study confirms slight rise in paralysis risk after swine flu shot
Study confirms slight rise in paralysis risk after swine flu shot
People who were vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus had a slightly increased risk of a paralysis disorder, according to a new study, but the benefits of vaccination greatly outweighed the risks.More >>
People who were vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus had a slightly increased risk of a paralysis disorder, according to a new study, but the benefits of vaccination greatly outweighed the risks.More >>
Higher indoor humidity levels might slow flu's spread
Higher indoor humidity levels might slow flu's spread
As the flu season continues to pack a punch for some Americans, new research suggests there might be a simple way to reduce the risk for infection in an indoor setting: hike up humidity levels.More >>
As the flu season continues to pack a punch for some Americans, new research suggests there might be a simple way to reduce the risk for infection in an indoor setting: hike up humidity levels.More >>
Flu shot may not work as well for seniors
Flu shot may not work as well for seniors
Seniors seem to get a weaker boost to their immune system following a flu shot than young people do, a small study shows.More >>
Seniors seem to get a weaker boost to their immune system following a flu shot than young people do, a small study shows.More >>
Will climate change mean worse flu seasons?
Will climate change mean worse flu seasons?
Mild winters where few people catch the flu tend to be followed by serious flu outbreaks the next year, a new study finds, suggesting that global warming could mean harsher flu seasons ahead.More >>
Mild winters where few people catch the flu tend to be followed by serious flu outbreaks the next year, a new study finds, suggesting that global warming could mean harsher flu seasons ahead.More >>
Flu still at epidemic levels
Flu still at epidemic levels
While flu activity remains high across the United States, there are signs that the number of infections may be leveling off, federal health officials reported Friday.More >>
While flu activity remains high across the United States, there are signs that the number of infections may be leveling off, federal health officials reported Friday.More >>
Increase in new 'stomach bug' strain
Increase in new 'stomach bug' strain
A new norovirus strain caused most of the outbreaks of the contagious intestinal illness in the United States between September and December last year.More >>
A new norovirus strain caused most of the outbreaks of the contagious intestinal illness in the United States between September and December last year.More >>
How to tell if your child is too sick for school
How to tell if your child is too sick for school
Children often get colds, but when they are not feeling well enough to participate in their normal daily activities or not alert enough to learn or play, they are too sick to go to school, an expert advises.More >>
Children often get colds, but when they are not feeling well enough to participate in their normal daily activities or not alert enough to learn or play, they are too sick to go to school, an expert advises.More >>
48 states now report flu activity, elderly hit hard
48 states now report flu activity, elderly hit hard
Forty-eight states are now reporting widespread flu activity, up from 47 last week, and the virus is proving particularly dangerous for the elderly, U.S. health officials reported Friday.More >>
Forty-eight states are now reporting widespread flu activity, up from 47 last week, and the virus is proving particularly dangerous for the elderly, U.S. health officials reported Friday.More >>

HealthMore>>
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >>
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >>
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >>
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >>
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >>
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >>
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >>
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >>
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.More >>
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.More >>
Americans still making unhealthy choices
Americans still making unhealthy choices
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >>
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >>
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.More >>
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.More >>
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >>
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >>
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.More >>
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.More >>

SATURDAY, Jan. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Children often get colds, but when they are not feeling well enough to participate in their normal daily activities or not alert enough to learn or play, they are too sick to go to school, an expert advises.

"Young children's immune systems haven't learned to recognize and resist most common viruses," Dr. Robert Key, a family physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Prairie du Chien, Wis., said in a Mayo news release. "That's why, until they're 8 or so, kids seem to bring home everything that's making the rounds at school. Children can typically have six to 10 colds per year."

Key added that there are other signs that kids should stay home from school, including:

Throwing up two or more times during a 24-hour period, or not being able to keep normal foods or drinks down.

A fever of 101 Fahrenheit or higher.

Severe coughing or trouble breathing.

Repeated severe diarrhea for at least a day.

Stomach pains that last for more than two hours.

Open sores on the mouth.

An unexplained skin rash or red eye.

Children who are diagnosed with contagious conditions such as strep throat, chicken pox and impetigo should not go to school until they can no longer pass the condition on to someone else, Key noted.

Colds, the "stomach flu," pink eye and strep throat are the culprits behind most missed school days, Key said. Parents who notice symptoms that seem worse than a common cold should schedule an appointment with their child's pediatrician.

The best way children can stay healthy and avoid missing school is to wash their hands thoroughly and often, Key advised. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to wash their hands with soap and water for 15 seconds -- about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides more tips to help parents wondering if their child is too sick for school.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

How to tell if your child is too sick for school - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

How to tell if your child is too sick for school

COLD & FLUCold & FluMore>>

HealthMore>>