Flu, colds and RSV: How to tell when your child is too sick for school

Flu, colds and RSV: How to tell when your child is too sick for school

 

A sniffle, a sneeze or a cough can set off alarm bells these days for families with young children.   Between colds, influenza, strep throat, RSV and lingering Covid-19, there are a lot of infections swirling about this winter – and they can look a lot alike in terms of symptoms.   Public health professionals would prefer if no child with symptoms were sent to school or daycare, where they could spread infections, said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. But – especially for single parents or caregivers who need to be at work – that is not always the most practical advice, he added.   Some symptoms that might mean it’s time to keep your child home include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble eating, poor sleep or problems breathing, said CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.   Donna Mazyck, a registered nurse and executive director of the National Association of School Nurses, breaks it down into two primary considerations: Does the child have a fever, and are they too ill to fully engage with learning?   Families should also check their school’s guidelines, some of which can offer details about when a child needs to be kept home from school, she said, and other parents will rely more on personal judgment.   “When in doubt, consult the school policies and have a plan with a pediatrician,” Wen said.   Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, continued to push the importance of vaccinations for this respiratory season, as well as other basic precautions, at a briefing Monday.   “Take your everyday preventive actions, such as covering your coughs and sneezes, staying away from people who are sick and staying home if you yourself are sick, washing your hands and improving ventilation in your home and workplaces. We also encourage you to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses,” she said.