If your child has the flu, you must keep your child home. Staying home when sick prevents the spread of the flu and helps the sick person get well.
Answer these questions every morning:
1. Does your child have a fever (101º F or 38. 3ºC)? If you don’t have a thermometer, feel your child’s skin with your hand. If it is much warmer than usual your child probably has a fever.
2. Does your child have a sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea?
If you answered “yes” to either one or both questions above, your child might have the flu. Keep your child home from school until the symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-lowering medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Call your health care provider if your child is ill enough that you would normally see a health care provider. Use the same judgment you would use during a normal flu season. Your child should remain at home until he or she has been without a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.