It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home from school. In general, when a child’s illness prevents them from participating in school activities or when their illness poses a risk of spread to others, they should stay home. Students may be excluded from school for communicable disease control for the following conditions:
Fever
Temperature 100.4 degrees F or higher
Child must be fever-free without fever medicine for 24 hours before returning to school.
Vomiting
A child who is vomiting needs to stay home until symptom free for 24 hours.
Diarrhea
A child who has diarrhea (two or more watery stools in a 12 hour period) needs to stay home until symptom free for 24 hours.
Rash
Your child should stay home if they have a rash that is spreading, open and/or cannot be covered. A doctor should evaluate the skin rash before your child returns to school. Your child may return to school after seeing a doctor with a note stating the rash is not contagious and may return to school.
Coughs and Colds
Your child should stay home if they have continuous nasal drainage, significant coughing spells, and/or if symptoms interfere with their ability to learn.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Your child should stay home if they have red watery eyes, swelling of the upper or lower eyelids, and yellow drainage. If child is prescribed antibiotics, they should be used for 24 hours before returning to school.
Strep Throat
If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, they must remain home until 24 hours after antibiotics have begun.
Pertussis
If your child is diagnosed with pertussis, they must remain home until five days of appropriate antibiotic is completed.
Other Communicable Diseases
Please inform the health office and/or school nurse if your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease. Follow the healthcare provider’s recommendation and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidance on return to school.
Communicable Diseases Resources
CDC Diseases and Conditions Information
Wisconsin Childhood Communicable Diseases Chart
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