How to Decide If You Should Keep a Sick Toddler Home

Toddlers can have different varieties and severities of illnesses. Watch your child's behavior and consult your doctor if your toddler is showing any signs of an illness to help you decide when you should keep your toddler home from day care.

Author:
Howcast
Updated:
Nov 7, 2018
Original:
Feb 22, 2011

Instructions

Step 1: Keep home for fever Keep your child home if they have a fever higher than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
TIP: Do not let them return to day care for 24 hours after they have had their last fever spike.
Step 2: Stay home for vomiting Keep your child home if they have vomited two or more times within the past 24 hours.
Step 3: Watch for diarrhea Keep your child home if they have diarrhea, especially with blood or mucus, and call your doctor.
TIP: Look at eyes and belly Keep your child home when they have a stomachache lasting longer than a few hours, especially if accompanied by a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
Step 4: Watch behavior Watch your child's behavior. If they are lethargic, have persistent crying, or have difficulty breathing, keep your child home and call your doctor.
TIP: Look for signs of pink eye Keep your child home if they have a white or yellow discharge coming from the eye, which could be conjunctivitis, or pink eye.
Step 5: Look for a rash Keep your child home and call your doctor if they have developed a rash and have a fever or are lethargic, in pain, or have severe itching.
FACT: In the United States, approximately 5-20% of the population get the flu each year.