When your child is sick: health guidance for school days

Knowing when to keep a child home helps them recover and reduces the spread of illness across classrooms, buses and before- and after-school programs. At Frederick Douglass International Academy, families should follow the school’s current attendance, health and exclusion requirements alongside advice from a qualified health professional.

Australian families may recognise many of these practices from local schools and early learning services. The National Health and Medical Research Council provides widely used exclusion guidance, while state and territory health departments can set additional requirements. When your child is enrolled at a school in Oak Park, Michigan, FDIA’s own policy and local public health directions remain the final authority.

Keep your child home when they cannot participate

A child should stay home when they have a fever, are unusually tired, are vomiting, have diarrhoea, or cannot comfortably take part in normal classroom activities. A temperature that improves only because of paracetamol or ibuprofen is not a reliable reason to return. Children should be fever-free without medication and well enough to manage the school day.

Respiratory symptoms also require judgement. A mild, improving runny nose may not require exclusion if the child feels well, while persistent coughing, breathing difficulty, marked lethargy or worsening symptoms should mean a day at home. In Australia, families commonly seek same-day advice from a GP, local pharmacist or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Understand common exclusion periods

For vomiting or diarrhoea, the usual Australian public health guidance is to remain away from school for at least 48 hours after the last episode. This helps limit outbreaks of gastroenteritis, particularly when children share toilets, lunch areas and drinking fountains. Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water; hand sanitiser is less effective against some stomach viruses.

Several infections have specific rules. Children with chickenpox generally remain home until all blisters have crusted. For impetigo, they usually need appropriate treatment and covered sores before returning. A child with conjunctivitis may need medical assessment, especially if there is discharge or significant redness. Requirements for COVID-19, influenza and other communicable diseases can change, so check the relevant state or territory health department and FDIA guidance.

Make a sensible decision before the school run

Check your child before breakfast and consider whether they can eat, drink, walk comfortably and concentrate. Do not send a sick child simply because you have work commitments or paid care arranged. Australian families often rely on grandparents, family day care, neighbours or before-school care, but these arrangements should not be used as a substitute for recovery when exclusion criteria apply.

Record the onset of symptoms, temperature readings and any medicine given. Never send prescription medicine or over-the-counter products in a school bag unless the school has approved the required medication process. Contact the FDIA office promptly if your child will be absent, and include the expected duration when known.

Know when medical help is needed

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, severe dehydration, confusion, a seizure, a stiff neck, unusual drowsiness or a rapidly spreading rash. Call 000 in Australia for an emergency; families in the United States should use 911. A rash that does not fade when pressed, especially with fever, needs prompt medical attention.

Arrange medical advice when fever persists, symptoms are getting worse, a child has repeated vomiting, cannot keep fluids down, or has an ongoing cough or ear pain. A local Australian pharmacy can offer practical advice for minor symptoms, but a pharmacist or GP should not be expected to diagnose serious illness remotely. Follow medicine labels carefully and use a weight-based dose recommended by a health professional.

Reduce infection at home and school

Teach children to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after coughing or blowing their nose. Coughing into an elbow, avoiding shared drink bottles and keeping tissues available are simple habits for Australian school routines, including hot-weather days when children carry large water bottles. Clean frequently touched surfaces at home and wash soiled clothing and bedding according to care instructions.

Tell the school about a diagnosed contagious condition, exposure that public health officials have identified, or any health need that could affect safety. Share only relevant information through the school’s approved communication channel. Health information is sensitive personal information, so families should avoid posting a child’s diagnosis in class group chats or community social media.

Plan a safe return to learning

A child can usually return when the applicable exclusion period has ended, symptoms are clearly improving, and they can manage the school day without needing constant one-to-one care. A lingering mild cough does not always mean exclusion, but the child should be well, fever-free and able to participate. FDIA may request medical documentation for particular conditions or outbreaks.

Once back, help the child ease into routines with sleep, fluids, nourishing meals and a prepared school bag. Ask the teacher or office about missed work rather than expecting a sick child to complete assignments while recovering. Consistent communication supports FDIA’s academically challenging, character-centred learning environment while protecting classmates and staff.

Keep the school’s attendance contact details, your GP or paediatrician, Healthdirect and emergency numbers accessible. Review FDIA health notices and current public health advice whenever illness is circulating, then notify the school promptly when your child needs to stay home.