Pedemy All toolsPick your child's illness to see when they can go back and when to call the doctor.
This tool helps parents decide when a sick child can go back to school or child care. You choose the illness, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, strep throat, impetigo, chickenpox, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, head lice, scabies, flu, COVID-19, a cold, ringworm, measles or whooping cough, and answer one or two short questions.
First it checks for warning signs that mean your child should see a doctor now, such as trouble breathing, a baby under 2 months with fever, signs of dehydration, or a rash that does not fade when pressed. Then it tells you whether your child should stay home, the exact rule for going back, and when to call the doctor.
The general rules come from American Academy of Pediatrics guidance: fever-free for 24 hours without fever medicine, well enough to join in, and diarrhea that stays in the diaper or toilet. The tool does not give medicine doses; ask your child's doctor. Your school or child care center may have its own rules.
Until there has been no fever for 24 hours without acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and your child is well enough to join in normal activities.
Usually not. Pink eye alone, even with discharge, is not a reason to stay home unless your child has a fever or feels sick. Some schools have their own rule, so check with them.
After at least 12 hours of antibiotics and no fever.
No. Your child can finish the school day, start treatment that evening, and go back the next day.
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