when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

my 5 year old DS has been sick since Monday. Took him to the doctor on Tuesday because he had a 105 ! fever and EXTREMELY swollen tonsils on monday.

Dr said not strep and not the flu. Is a virus, so no meds.

He hasn't had a fever for about 18 hours (hooray!), but his tonsils still look the same.

Do I send him to school tomorrow? The tonsils worry me. I don't know why.....just seems like since his tonsils are still huge, he must still be sick and maybe he should rest another day?

when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

Our school said they must be fever-free for 24 hours before they can return to school. If you are still concerned about the tonsils, then keep him home. They can still be swollen as the infection is winding down. I think its important to see how he feels and if he's feeling better and fever-free (and not tired from being sick) it's ok to send him to school.

Re: when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

I'm in the same boat. My DS has had a fever (only at night) since Sunday and has a nasty cough. I also brought him to the Dr. and he said there is a respiratory/fever virus going around. He hasn't had a fever since las night, so of he wakes up ok or row then I'm sending him to school I thnk both he and I are extremely tired of being stuck at home.

Re: when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

Did they actually test for strep? Unsure form your message. You said he was fever free for 18 hours but he is still really swollen? Did you give pain meds for the throat pain? If so keep him home bc he might not be fever free. They need to be fever free with no meds for 24 hours. If the strep was not done I would take him back and get tested if it is still red and swollen even if the fever is gone/down. My personal feeling is to give at least one more day if he really is fever free if his throat still hurts only bc with the flu, strep, stomach bugs, viruses going around, I would think he would be run down and more likely to pick something else up.

Re: when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

thanks everyone!

I did keep him home today. He has been fever free for over 24 hours, but his tonsils are still ssoooo swollen. They tested for strep and flu and both came back negative.

My biggest reason for wanting ot send him today is bc he is getting so grumpy being stuck at home. BUT, he is home today and I planned some fun, quiet activities for us..

thanks everyone!!!!!!!!

Re: when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

Glad he's feeling better. For the strep did they also send the culture to a lab?

My son was sick last week, symptoms started with fever and sore throat. When they tested him in the office the strep test was negative. He gets strep pretty often, so they also sent a culture to be tested and 2 days later it came back positive. The nurse said that it was probably too early to come through in the office test.

Re: when is it ok to send child back to school after being sick?

steph4777, yes they sent the culture to the lab as well as doing the quick strep test. I almost hope it comes back positive from teh lab so he could just get antibiotics and get better! viruses are the worst....

ugh...