Information for Parents about Flu in Schools

What toDo If My Child Is Sick?

Flu spreads easily from person to person.  If you think your child is getting the flu:

• Keep your child home.  It is very important that your child does not go to school or other places where they could spread the flu virus to other people, such as group childcare, after school programs, the mall, or sporting events.
• Call your doctor’s office and let them know your child’s symptoms and history.  Your doctor will advise you whether you should come to the office.  It is best to call ahead so that you help prevent spreading illness to others.
• Call your child’s school to notify them that they are sick, and tell the school nurse if your child has flu-like symptoms.
• Keep your school nurse updated on your child’s medical condition.
• Do not give your child or teenager (18 years of age or younger) aspirin or aspirin-containing products due to the rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
• All individuals with flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without using fever-reducing medicines.  These medicines include Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a store brand.  Keeping children with a fever at home will keep them from getting other people sick.  For most people, this will be about 4 days. See the ‘Flu Symptom Checklist for Families and Schools’ on page 4 for more information. 
• Schools are not allowed to accept a doctor’s note recommending a child with flu-like symptoms return to school before the time period described above.  

Please use the checklist below to help you decide when to keep your child home from school.

Flu Symptom Check List for Families and Schools

The main symptoms of influenza (flu) include fever and cough and/or sore throat. Some people also have a runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and feel tired.  Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.  The most important thing that you can do to keep flu from spreading in the community is to keep your sick child at home when they are sick. 

SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?

��� Yes��� No Has your child had a fever of 100.4 degrees or more in the past 24
hours?
��� Yes ��� No Does your child have a cough OR sore throat?

If you answered YES to both questions above, keep your child home.
Your child has an influenza-like illness.

CAN MY CHILD RETURN TO SCHOOL?

��� Yes ��� No Has your child had a fever of 100.4 degrees or more in the past 24
hours?
��� Yes ��� No Has your child had acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or
Advil) in the past 24 hours?

If you answered NO to both questions above, your child can return to school.

If you answered YES to either one of the questions above, your child
CANNOT return to school. Keep your child home for at least another day to
observe for additional symptoms.

Then use the check list questions again to decide whether you should continue to keep your child home.

Information in SPANISH & FRENCH

Cough Poster-Espanol

Cough Poster-Francais

Staying at Home With the Flu-Espanol

Staying At Home With the Flu-Francais

Parent Poster-Espanol

Flu What You Can Do: Caring for People at Home

Flu Prevention and Food Allergies

Flu Prevention and Asthma