by Samantha Williams

Created on: May 26, 2008

To often when our children become ill we make the wrong decision to go ahead and send them to day care. Sometimes we keep our sick little ones home only to find out that they are perfectly fine. We never want to make the wrong choice in the health and well being of our kids but we do, just because we are not quit sure right off if its just an allergy or more. There are a few signs that can help you tell if they are to ill to attend day care or school.

One of the most noticeable signs that your baby may need to stay home is fever. Fevers happen when your body's internal temperature begins to rise due to an infectious or serious disease. Usually when a child has a fever they have contracted a virus like a cold or the flu which is contagious. Unless your day care center is certified to care for ill children and have a separate room to house them, they more than likely will make you keep them home.

Vomiting and diarrhea is fun for no one let alone your day care provider. If your child is having these problems its a smart idea to keep them at home. At home you will be able to watch them closely to be sure that a visit to the doctor is not in order. Your day care may or may not have the resources to care for the child in a manner that is needed. Remember they have more children to care for and having a child that is that ill may be to much for them to handle.

The common cold can be a pain and it may be hard to decided if its alright to send them to day care. If they are coughing a lot and have a temperature it might be a good idea to keep them. They may be a little achy and just down right sick and may need their mommy or daddy for the day. It may be safe to send them to day care if your child has a runny nose or is sneezing, but is not running a fever. This is more than likely just allergies. Water and itchy eyes are a part of having allergies, but if one or both eyes are a pinkish color in and around the outside and the eyes are producing excessive mucus then they may have pink eye. Pink eye is very contagious and needs antibiotics and eye drops to help cure it. You will need to keep them home for at least twenty four hours after the antibiotics have been started.

Sometimes if you are not sure whether or not to keep you child at home, call your day care provider and ask. You don't want to drop off your baby and get to work only to get a call from them asking you to come pick up your child. It may be difficult at times to tell but remember whenever you are in doubt just ask your provider or even you doctor, and they should have an answer for you.

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