Parents across the UK face a daily dilemma when their child wakes up feeling under the weather: should they send them to school or keep them at home? Making the wrong call can disrupt their education or risk spreading infection. To help with this tricky decision, the National Health Service (NHS) offers official advice on how to handle 17 common childhood health conditions.
Navigating Common Infections and When to Stay Home
The key for many parents is understanding the difference between a minor bug and something more contagious. According to NHS guidance, if you do keep your child at home, you must phone the school or nursery on the very first day to inform them and explain the reason.
For many minor ailments, attendance is still fine. For instance, a child with a slight cough, cold, sore throat, or headache can go to school if they otherwise feel well and do not have a high temperature. Similarly, there's no need to exclude children with cold sores, head lice, or threadworms, though good hygiene should be encouraged.
However, several conditions require a period of isolation. Children with chickenpox must stay home until all spots have crusted over, which typically takes about five days. For the highly infectious measles, keep your child off school for at least four days from when the rash first appears and consult a GP.
Managing Stomach Bugs and Other Specific Illnesses
Gastrointestinal issues require strict exclusion to prevent outbreaks. The NHS states that children with diarrhoea or vomiting must stay away for 48 hours after their last episode. This is a crucial rule for protecting other pupils and staff.
Other bacterial infections have clear treatment protocols. A child with scarlet fever needs antibiotics from a GP and can return to school 24 hours after starting the treatment. For impetigo, keep them off until all sores have crusted and healed, or for 48 hours after beginning antibiotics.
Current COVID-19 advice suggests that if a child has mild symptoms like a runny nose or slight cough but feels well, they can attend. However, they should stay home if they have a high temperature or feel too unwell. If they test positive, they should try to avoid contact with others for three days after the test.
Anxiety, Temperature, and Working with Your School
Not all absences are due to physical illness. The NHS notes that anxiety can manifest with physical symptoms like tummy aches or headaches. Avoiding school can sometimes worsen this anxiety. It's important to talk to your child about worries like bullying or schoolwork and to collaborate with the school to find solutions.
A high temperature remains a primary red flag. If your child has a high temperature, keep them off school until it goes away. This applies even if the underlying cause seems minor, like a cold or ear infection.
The government provides detailed guidelines for schools and nurseries on health protection and managing infectious diseases, available on GOV.UK. These outline when children should and should not be excluded. By following this expert advice, parents can make informed choices that support their child's health, their education, and the wellbeing of the whole school community.
