We all know that dreaded feeling when you’re meeting with someone and their children, and you can immediately tell that they or their children are ill.
When that happens to me, I mentally start preparing myself for the impending sickness that is almost certain to be passed along to my family. Then I try to manage the disappointment and fleeting rage that momentarily crosses my mind.
Sickness Transferred
Sure enough, later that evening I’m usually woken up in the middle of the night by a crying child. I can tell that something is amiss based on the pathetic-sounding cry and whine.
I sleepily fumble my way into to their room only to find a shaky, feverish kiddo that’s miserable. Immediately, my mind flashes back when I had that sick visitor or play date.
We Know that Germ Exposure Isn’t All Bad
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a germaphobe, and some exposure to viruses is a good thing. Exposure to some germs is a necessary evil that helps beef up the body’s immunity, allowing our bodies to more effectively fight future illnesses.
One study showcased in Science Magazine has even shown that mice exposed to millions of bacteria and organisms fared better than those mice that essentially were raised in a sterile “bubble”. Their bodies were able to more efficiently fight against illness.
But Prevention Definitely Has a Place
However, this doesn’t mean that we should allow snotty-nosed, feverish children to run rampant and infect others, nor give up hand-washing, or vaccinations.
Taking these preventative steps is important in protecting yourself, your family, and others from more dangerous illnesses and malevolent microbes. This is especially true to protect those around us who are younger or elderly and possibly unvaccinated due to age, or with immune-compromised illnesses.
When to Keep Your Child Home
Knowing when to keep your child home from school can prevent the spread of illness and help them recover more quickly. Here’s a quick guide on key symptoms and conditions that should keep your child at home:
Diarrhea
Children with diarrhea should stay home until the episodes have stopped for at least 24 hours. Diarrhea can be highly contagious, and sending a child to school too soon risks spreading the illness.
Fever
If your child has a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, it’s best to keep them home. A fever usually indicates an infection, and children should be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
Persistent Coughing
A persistent cough can be a sign of a respiratory infection or other illness. If your child is coughing frequently or the cough is severe, keep them home until they see improvement.
New rash
A new rash could indicate an infectious condition like chickenpox, measles, or impetigo. Keep your child home and consult with a doctor to determine the cause and when it’s safe to return to school.
Pink eye
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is highly contagious. Children should remain home until they’ve been on antibiotics or eye drops for at least 24 hours and the symptoms have started to improve.
Vomiting
Vomiting is often a sign of an infection or stomach virus. Keep your child home until they haven’t vomited for at least 24 hours and can keep food down.
A known contagious illness
If your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness like the flu, COVID-19, or strep throat, they should stay home for the duration recommended by their healthcare provider to prevent spreading the illness to others.
Mouth ulcer
Mouth ulcers can be painful and sometimes indicate an underlying infection. Keep your child home if they are in discomfort or have difficulty eating, and consult a doctor if necessary.
No appetite
A sudden loss of appetite can be a sign that your child is unwell. If they refuse to eat or drink, it’s a good idea to keep them home and monitor for other symptoms.
Severe pain
If your child is experiencing severe pain, such as from a sore throat, earache, or stomachache, it’s important to keep them home and seek medical advice to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
These guidelines can help ensure your child recovers quickly and doesn’t contribute to spreading illness to their classmates.
Dangers to Very Young Children
Exposing a young child to more severe illnesses that can be held at bay by the good health practices listed above can lead to a much more serious effect on their health in the early years than if they catch them when they are older.
Young children have smaller airways that can be adversely affected by inflammation leading to wheezing, difficulty breathing and heavy coughing all which can lead to more severe infections and complications than the original illness.
This doesn’t even include those that are at a higher risk, such as people aged 65 and older, pregnant, those (adults and children) with asthma, weakened immune systems, heart, liver, lung disease and many other risk factors.
No Thanks to Your Immune-Building Help
The bottom line is that my family and I don’t need your child’s germs to “help” strengthen my children’s immune system. So I ask that you please keep them to yourself, stay home and nurse your child back to health. It’s what’s best for everyone involved.
Hygiene Methods to Encourage
At the very least, keep your bodily functions contained and teach your little ones about respiratory etiquette and proper hand-cleansing. Encourage your children (when sick AND well) to cough or sneeze into a tissue (or elbow/shoulder if no tissue available), to wash well with soap and water and to keep their hands away from their mouth, nose and eyes as much as possible.
The following is a simple guideline recommended by the CDC on whether you should cancel your play-date or send your child to school/daycare:
- Those with vomiting, diarrhea, and/or flu-like symptoms are encouraged to stay home whenever possible;
- A child with a fever greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit needs to stay home from school until the fever is gone for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications);
- If vomiting has occurred more than twice in 24 hours, keep them home;
- As for diarrhea, if your child has the runs more than 3 times a day or it’s so loose that it’s leaking out of their diaper, stay home.
Following the guidelines above not will only prevent the sickness from spreading to others. Allowing your child to stay home lets them receive the rest and recuperation they need to get back to feeling 100%. They may be able to shake that persistent cough or other bodily expulsions that are not only bad for them but also a path for the spreading of disease.
Be Considerate of Others
The middle of the road is what I’m seeking for us all. When dealing with a sick child, please consider whether you’d want someone else to bring their child to your home or to their school if they were as ill as your child?
A little consideration towards others and adherence to recommended guidelines goes a long way. You never know who’s life (and sanity) you may be saving by keeping your germs and sickness at home where it belongs.