When to Keep Your Kids Home

When to Keep Your Kids Home from School

September 2, 2025

3:00 pm

With school back in session, illnesses will be an inevitabile. And as a parent, it can be hard to know when to keep your kids home from school or when to let them power through the day. While perfect attendance sounds great, sending a child to school when they’re feeling under the weather can make their symptoms worse and spread their germs to others. On the other hand, keeping them home out of an abundance of caution can impact their studies and lead to missed work for parents. Here are some tips to help you make the right call.

When It’s Time to Stay Home

Sniffles or butterflies in the tummy don’t always mean your child needs a sick day, but it’s worth weighing these symptoms:

Fever — A temperature of 100.4°F or higher is a sign to stay home. Kids should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without medicine before heading back to school.
Vomiting or diarrhea — The viruses often responsible for these symptoms can spread rapidly through a classroom, so it’s best to stay home for at least 24 hours after they have resolved.
Strep throat — After starting antibiotics, strep throat is contagious for 24 hours. If left untreated, it remains contagious for much longer.
Persistent cough — If your child is coughing so much that it disrupts their sleep (or the class), it’s best to keep them home to rest for a day or two.
Eye infections — Red, irritated eyes with discharge could mean , which is very contagious. Bacterial pink eye is no longer contagious after 24 hours of antibiotic ointment, but viral pink eye can be contagious for several days.

pink eye

Ear infections — While ear infections themselves aren’t contagious, the viruses or bacteria that cause them can be.

Unusual fatigue – If your child seems too tired to participate in normal activities, their body might need a break.

When It’s Probably Okay to Go

If your child feels off, it doesn’t automatically mean a missed school day. Kids can usually still attend classes with these symptoms, as long as they aren’t worsening:

Mild sniffles or a runny nose that doesn’t affect their energy level
A mild headache
Seasonal allergies that aren’t contagious

When in doubt, evaluate how your child is acting. If they’re playing, eating, and generally in good spirits, sending them to school is likely a fine choice.

Trust Your Gut

As their parent, you know your child best. If something seems “off,” it’s okay to keep them home to keep an eye on their symptoms. If you’re unsure whether they’re dealing with something contagious, or if their symptoms are getting worse, it’s time to head to Xpress Wellness Urgent Care.

Visit Xpress Wellness Urgent Care for Peace of Mind

Not sure if your child should stay home from school? Xpress Wellness Urgent Care is here to help. You can check-in online and visit one of our locations to make sure they’re ready for school, Our providers can check symptoms, offer treatment, and give you clear guidance to keep your family healthy and your child’s school attendance on track. If your child does need to stay home, we’ll provide a school note so you can both rest easy knowing you made the right decision.

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When It’s Time to Stay Home

Related Urgent Care Articles

When It’s Probably Okay to Go

Trust Your Gut

Visit Xpress Wellness Urgent Care for Peace of Mind

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