It can be a tough call. Technically your child is sick, but seems to feel well enough for school. What should you do? Ann Douglas, author of The Unofficial Guide to Childcare, offers some guidelines on some of the most common ailments.
Chickenpox
Symptoms: Fever and headche; rash within 24 hours. Itching for four days. Blisters appear in crops over three to four days, turning to crusty scabs. Symptoms appear 11 to 21 days after exposure
Transmission: Spread through the air and by direct contact with blister fluid, saliva, phlegm, or articles freshly soiled by the sick child
Infectious period: Up to five days before the onset of the rash and not more than five days after the spots appear
When infected child can return to school or daycare: When all lesions are dry (at least five days after the first crop of lesions appeared)
When siblings can return to school or daycare: Should only be attending school or daycare if they have already had the chickenpox
Common Cold
Symptoms: Runny nose, sore throat, cough, decreased appetite
Transmission: Spread through the air and via contaminated hands and objects
Infectious period: From one day before to seven days after onset of symptoms
When infected child can return to school or daycare: Child can attend school or daycare unless too ill to take part in activities
When siblings can return to school or daycare: No need for siblings to stay home
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Symptoms: Red swollen eye(s); then thick, yellow discharge and crusting. Eyes itch and smart; no pain. Symptoms appear 24 to 72 hours after exposure
Transmission: Spread by touching the eye or through contact with articles soiled with discharge or phlegm.
Infectious period: Contagious until treated
When infected child can return to school or daycare: When whites of eyes are clear and crusting is gone
When siblings can return to school or daycare: No need for siblings to stay home unless they are infected
Ear Infections
Symptoms: Earache; irritability, fever and cold symptoms
Transmission: Not infectious
Infectious period: Not infectious
When infected child can return to school or daycare: No need for child to stay home unless he/she is not feeling well enough to go.
When siblings can return to school or daycare: No need for siblings to stay home
