Sick Child Guide

This is a guide to help parents and teachers make decisions about sending or keeping children home from school. It is not a comprehensive list of illnesses children might be sent home with, so when you are in doubt do not hesitate to call us or your child’s doctor.

For immunization information, see the Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Branch.

Illness/Infection/Symptom Should You Stay Home? When Can You Come Back?
Chicken Pox YES When all the pox have scabbed over
Cold NO (without fever)
YES (with fever)
See fever guidelines
Coxsackie (hand, mouth, and foot disease) YES After the fever is gone (usually 2 to 3 days). The rash is not contagious
Diarrhea YES 24 hours after last diarrhea symptoms
Diarrhea YES 24 hours after last diarrhea symptoms
Ear Infection NO (with doctor diagnosis) SMILE: You’re In School
Fever of 99.4 or greater (undiagnosed illness) YES 24 hours after fever subsides, and when fever medications have not been taken within the past 8 hours
Fifth Disease NO (without fever)
YES (with fever)
See fever guidelines
Giardia YES When diarrhea subsides, or your doctor approves readmission
Impetigo YES Once treatment has begun
Lice YES After 1 treatment has been given
Pink Eye YES 24 hours after treatment has begun
Unidentified Rash YES When rash is gone, unless your doctor approves readmission
Ring Worm YES (but you must keep area covered) Must remain out of school until your child have begun treatment with a prescription oral antifungal medication. Your child may return with a medical note.
Roseola YES (with fever) See fever guidelines
Rota Virus YES When diarrhea subsides, or your doctor approves readmission
Strep Throat YES 24 hours after beginning treatment, and when you are fever-free
Thrush NO (but you should seek treatment) SMILE: You’re In School
Vomiting YES 24 hours after last vomiting