How to understand that your children are too sick to go to school

PHOENIX – As schools reopen for another year, they are focused on improving student attendance.

But back-to-school is hitting just as cases of COVID-19 are rising, raising the question: When is a child too sick for school?

School absences spiked during the pandemic and have yet to recover.

According to the most recent data analyzed by the Associated Press, nearly 1 in 4 students is chronically absent, defined as missing 10% or more of the academic year.

One reason for continued high absenteeism: After years of COVID-19 quarantines, parents are more wary of sending children to school when they may be contagious with a disease.

When a child is absent from school, even for a reasonable absence such as a sick day, it is more difficult for them to stay on track academically.

So schools and health experts are trying to change the culture around sick days.

Here’s what parents want to know.

The guidelines for COVID have changed

During the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people who tested positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate at home for a certain number of days and quarantine after exposure to the coronavirus.

In some settings, people with mild illnesses were encouraged to stay home until symptoms cleared.

These standards, and the care behind them, remained for years after schools reopened for in-person instruction.

This meant that children often missed large chunks of school after contracting or being exposed to COVID-19 or other illnesses.

This spring, the guidance for COVID-19 officially changed.

Now, the CDC suggests that people treat COVID-19 like other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and RSV.

No fever for 24 hours

If a child has a fever, he should stay at home, regardless of the illness.

A child can return to school when the fever has been gone for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine.

Other symptoms should improve.

What about other symptoms?

If a child doesn’t have a fever, it’s OK to send him to class with some signs of illness, including a runny nose, headache or cough, according to schools and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If these symptoms are not improving or are severe, such as a bad cough, call your child’s doctor.

Vomiting and diarrhea guidelines vary among school districts.

In general, students should stay home until symptoms stop, according to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.

Older children may be able to manage mild diarrhea at school.

“If your student does not have a fever or has not taken drugs in the last 24 hours, you will come to school.

That’s what we want,” said Abigail Arii, director of student support services in Oakland, California.

Guidance from the Los Angeles Unified School District says students can attend school with mild symptoms such as a runny nose or cold, but must stay home if they have vomiting, diarrhea, severe pain or a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) or higher.

School districts across the US have similar guidelines, including Texas, Illinois and New York.

When you wear a mask

The CDC says people should take extra precautions for five days after returning to school or other normal activities.

Masks and social distancing are no longer mandatory but are encouraged to prevent the spread of the disease.

Experts also highly recommend washing your hands and taking steps for cleaner air, such as opening a window or using an air purifier.

School districts say parents need to be up to date on all health screenings and vaccinations for students so they don’t miss more days of school.