Influenza

Influenza season generally starts in October and ends in March, with peak times in Dec.-Feb.   However, you can get influenza at any time of the year.   Check out this website for influenza facts.

Use this questionnaire each day your child is sick with flu-like symptoms and follow the
instructions for when to keep the child home and what to tell the child’s school.

Does your child have:

Does your child have:
1. Fever of 100 F or higher        Yes           No
(Take the child’s temperature before giving him/her fever-reducing medicine, like Tylenol.)
2. Sore throat                           Yes           No
3. Cough                                  Yes           No

illustration of a kid sick

Should I Keep My Child Home?

If you checked “yes” for fever AND one of the other symptoms, keep your child home for at least 24 hours after his or her fever is gone without fever-reducing medicine. For many children this will be 5 to 7 days. Your child should feel well enough to participate in school before returning. If you have questions about your child’s health or symptoms, call your child’s doctor or clinic.
If your child has been diagnosed by a doctor or clinic with a different disease, such as strep, follow your doctor or clinic’s recommendation and school policy for when to return to school.

What Should I Tell My Child’s School?

If you checked “yes” for fever AND one of the other symptoms, tell the school that your child is home with influenza-like illness.
If your child has been diagnosed by a doctor or clinic with a different disease, such as strep, tell your child’s school.