According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, hand washing is the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick!

When should your child stay home from school? Here are a few GUIDELINES you might wish to follow:

1. A runny nose is the way many children respond to pollen, dust, chalk, or a change of seasons. It may be an allergy, and allergies are not contagious. Children do not need to stay home.
   

2. A bad cold or cough symptoms can be uncomfortable in the first 24 hours. Symptoms may also indicate bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. If your child has a fever, difficulty breathing, or extreme coughing, check with your family doctor and observe your child at home.
   

3. Diarrhea and vomiting make a child uncomfortable and being near a bathroom is a priority. If your child has repeat episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea with or without a fever, keep your child home until the illness has passed. Consult your family doctor for any continued or worsening symptoms.
   

4. Fever is an important symptom Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. When running a fever, children are contagious and will spread their illness if they return to school too soon.
   

5. Strep Throat or Scarlet Fever are two contagious illnesses caused by the streptococcal bacteria. Symptoms may be fever, very sore throat, stomachache or rash. Check with your family doctor. Your child should remain home for 24 - 48 hours after antibiotics are started.
   

6. Chicken Pox is a viral infection. If your child has a low-grade fever followed by itchy, raised reddened areas with a watery center on the chest, back or face, consult your doctor. Your child should stay home until all the chicken pox have crusted and dried, usually 5-7 days.
   

7. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, may be contagious and is uncomfortable. It may be bacterial, viral or allergic. Symptoms include burning, itching, swelling, redness, watering or a yellowish discharge which accumulates in the inner eye and along the lower lid. Consult your pediatrician to see if treatment is necessary. Older children do not need to be excluded from school.
   

8. Lice may spread from person to person through direct contact. Children need to be treated with an approved anti-lice shampoo. Combing the hair daily to remove eggs (nits) is most important. Checking your child's head weekly is advised. Remind your child not to share hats, combs, brushes or other hair items.