WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME
FROM SCHOOL, DAY CARE, SUMMER SCHOOL OR CAMP
A FLU SYMPTOM CHECK LIST FOR FAMILIES
The symptoms of influenza (flu) include fever, cough, sore throat, and sometimes body aches, headache, chills and feeling tired. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting. The most important thing that you can do to keep flu from spreading in the community is to keep your sick child at home.
Use the following checklist to help decide if your child or anyone in your family may have the flu:
YES NO Does your child have a fever of 100 degrees or more?
YES NO Does your child have a cough?
YES NO Does your child have a sore throat?
YES NO Does your child have a headache, body aches or chills?
YES NO Does your child have vomiting or diarrhea?
SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?
If you checked yes to:
- Fever of 100 degrees or more
- AND
- Cough or sore throat your child has an influenza-like illness.
Keep your child home for 7 days after symptoms start or until your child is symptom free for 48 hours, whichever is longer.
If you checked “yes” to only one of the questions above, or if your child is ill with other symptoms, keep your child at home for at least one day to continue observation. If other symptoms develop, use the check list questions again to decide whether to continue to keep the child home. If your child does not have influenza-like illness based on the check list above, your child may return to school when he or she has been completely well for 24 hours.
As always, consult with your family doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health.
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