How do you decide to keep them home from preschool?

rnin02

DS had a runny nose all last week, and over the weekend developed a yucky cough and low grade fever (99.5-100). I took him to the pediatrician yesterday; he was diagnosed with a sinus infection and started on antibiotics. How long would you keep him home? Today he is playing like normal (so far), and he doesn't have a runny nose, just stuffy, no fever. He still has a cough at times, not very often, but when he coughs its just an awful, junky sounding cough. By the time he is supposed to go back to school (Wednesday) he will have received 5 doses of antibiotics. Would you send your child to school with a yucky sounding (although non productive) cough? This is only his second week of preschool so we've never had to deal with this issue before. Thanks!

I_love_cupcakes

If he's not contagious, not running a fever, and acting pretty normal, I'd send him in.  Unfortunately, most of the kids in DS's preschool ALWAYS have runny noses/coughs this time of year.  We'd end up keeping them home all winter if we had to keep them home for such things!

Hey Jellisy

Same as PP, as long as he is not contagious (24 to 48 hours on antibiotics) I would send him back.  My two LOs have had lingering colds/stuffy noses since the fall.  It's only when it's been an ear infection, contagious virus, pink eye, fever, etc. that we've kept them home.  

WinesNotWhines

If the fever is gone, he's on antibiotics, and generally seems ok (not lethargic or anything), I'd definitely send him. If I kept my kid home for every cold, I'd have negative sick days at work.

rnin02

thanks, that's what i was thinking!

LindseyJW

in addition to no longer being contagious, 24hrs fever free, i'd keep my kids home if they still didn't feel well and being home with mommy (or daddy, but let's face it, it's more often mommy, right!?) would be comforting. 

AgrippaRidesAgain

24 hours after a fever they go back to school.  5 doses of antibiotics is plenty.  :-)