How To Tell if Your Child Is Too Sick for School

“I don’t feel well.” Those four words set off an avalanche of panic that undoubtedly interferes with your (more or less) finely tuned morning routine.

Is my child pulling a Ferris Bueller and trying to get out of school? Or are they really coming down with something?

It’s not always easy to make the call to keep a child home from school and activities, especially if this is your first rodeo. So in this blog, Drs. Tina E. Floy and Trinidad Rojas at Wellness Pediatrics in Fairfax, Virginia, give you a few rules of thumb to consider when your kid complains of an illness.

Understanding children and illnesses

Kids get sick. Sometimes, it can feel like they’re always sick. On average, kids catch 5-7 colds a year compared to adults, who only catch around 2-4. That’s because children spend time with other kids at school, day care, and the playground. 

They also don’t have a grasp on hygiene quite yet. 

Not all colds are reasons to keep your child home from school. If your child is vomiting and/or having diarrhea, it’s an obvious and automatic sick day. But your decision gets much more difficult if they’re simply not feeling well and aren’t showing any other signs of sickness. 

Here are a few things to take into account. 

Check for fever

A fever of 100.4 or higher is an easy way to know that your child should stay home. Fevers can be scary, but they aren’t a cause for concern until they pass 104 and/or last for more than five days. 

Fevers are actually a healthy sign that your child is fighting whatever threat has made them sick. They may be run-down for a few days or a few hours. 

Think about contagiousness

Sometimes keeping your child home isn’t just about them. Your kid may not look sick or be on the mend, but they could be contagious and spread their illness to others. The most common super infectious illnesses include the flu, pinkeye, and strep throat. 

Consider the effect on their day

Most kids can power through the day with a runny nose, but if their illness makes them feel weak, listless, lethargic, and otherwise run-down, it makes more sense to keep them home. 

Go with your gut

There’s nothing wrong with simply trusting your gut. You know your child best and how they respond to illnesses. If you think they need a sick day, then they probably do. 

You can always take them to school if you suspect they’re faking it or if they’re fine once you get through the drop-off line. 

Are you still trying to figure out what to do? We’d love to help. Call our friendly staff at 571-350-0953 or use our online booking tool to schedule a same-day sick visit.