“Back to school means a lot of things: new backpacks, new subjects to learn…and new germs. Frequent illness is a normal part of childhood – in fact, it’s perfectly normal for your child to come down with respiratory and/or stomach bugs six to eight times each year!
So how can you prepare for these inevitable illnesses? According to Anjuli Gans, MD, a Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) pediatrician, the best thing parents can do during this time of uncertainty is to focus on what they can control. When it comes to managing your child’s health this school year, it may be helpful to specifically focus on these three areas:
- Practice healthy habits at home
- Get organized with your child’s school
- Make a plan with your pediatrician in the event your child is sick
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Published Sept 6, 2022
In general, you should keep your child home from school when they have any of the following symptoms or illnesses:
- Fever of 100.5 or higher
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- COVID-19
- Norovirus
- Certain illnesses and rashes like chickenpox, measles or hand, foot and mouth disease
Colds, coughs, runny noses and sore throats are common in children and do not always require them to stay home from school if symptoms are mild. However, if cold symptoms include fever or a cough that is excessive enough to disrupt their learning, you should keep your child home to rest.