Clinic Information

When Should I Keep My Child Home From School?

When your child complains of being sick, and has symptoms such as a sore throat, head cold, diarrhea, vomiting, or has had a fever greater than 100°F, in the last 24 hours, your child should remain at home. Keeping your child home when he or she is sick will permit your child time to recover and reduce the spread of illness to others.

Practice Healthy Habits

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. You can help prevent the flu from spreading at home by disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces, toys, and other commonly shard items.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and throw away used tissues.

Make sure that the family does not share drinks, water bottles, or used eating utensils.

Eye Care

It is a good idea to have your child’s eyes and vision examined by an eye care professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist) at least once a year. Scheduling this around your child’s birthday is a good way to remember to do it. Do not wait until your child complains of blurred vision, red eyes, and/or headaches. Parents with Medicaid or CHIP Health Insurance are especially encouraged to take their children for a vision check-up.

Head Lice

Head lice is a pesky problem. Anyone can become infested by close contact with another infested person. Lice can be shared through personal belongings such as coats, hats, combs, brushes, bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpet.

Parents are encouraged to check their children’s hair weekly. Also, check everyone in the household. Look for lice and nits (lice eggs) behind the ears and at the back of the head. Immediate treatment is necessary if you find lice or nits. Lice multiply quickly, so follow the instructions on the Lice product package. Everyone and everything in your home should be treated and cleaned if you discover that there is a problem. It is also recommended that a second treatment should be performed within 14 days.