Symptom-Based Exclusion Criteria 

• Fever: Exclude if the child has a fever (greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees F [38 degrees C]). Return when fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.  

  • Temperature readings do not require adjustment for the location where the temperature is taken.  

  • In education settings, refer to your district’s policy regarding fever definition.  

  • A child with a fever that is explained by a chronic health condition, as documented by a physician or prescribing healthcare provider, does not need to be excluded. 

• Vomiting: Exclude if vomiting occurs more than twice in the preceding 24 hours. Return when vomiting has resolved overnight, and the child can hold down foods/liquids in the morning. 

• Diarrhea: Exclude when the child is ill with diarrhea. If the child wears diapers, exclude if stool cannot be contained in the diaper. Return when diarrhea is improving. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare provider prior to return. 

• Skin sores: Exclude if sores are draining fluid and cannot be covered by a bandage. Return when sores are crusting and the child is under treatment from a provider. 

• Respiratory virus symptoms (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, RSV): Exclude if symptoms are not explained by another cause (e.g., seasonal allergies). Return when fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms are getting better overall. 

• General illness: Children with improving symptoms should be able to participate in school or child care unless instructed to stay home by a healthcare provider or a public health professional.  

  • If a child’s needs while sick would interfere with the ability of the school or child care staff to teach and care for other students, or if the child cannot comfortably participate in activities, the child should stay home.  

  • If a child shows an acute change in behavior: lethargy, lack of responsiveness, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or a quickly spreading rash, the child should stay home.  

  • The child should return when symptoms are improving, and the child can comfortably participate in school or child care activities.

Home from school or leave school early? 

• • Maybe

  • Yes: if a health care provider or public health official recommends exclusion or mattering is occuring obstructing vision

May Return:

• • Additional exclusion criteria (symptoms) must also be resolved for child to return

  • Remember to wash all bedding (pillow cases, sheets, blankets, lovies) after drops have started to reduce the chances of getting it again

Home from school?

• • Yes

May return:

• After 12-hours of antibiotics

• Fever free for 24-hours without the use of medication

• Antibiotics (if need more than twice a day) can be given at school. A Medication Consent Form MUST be completed

After antibiotics have been started: change toothbrush, reused cups, wash bedding, stuffies, etc.

Stay home/send home from school: 

• • Maybe (the student may stay in school only if the lesions can be covered)

  • Yes: If lesions cannot be covered or student will not keep them covered

May return:

• • After seen by a provider AND 12-hours on medication to treat AND blisteres are covered

  • Additional exclusion criteria (symptoms) must also be resolved for child to return

Stay home from school: 

• • Yes

  • Must be diagnosed by a provider. 

May return:

• • After seen by a provider AND when all blisters are crusted and no oozing is happening (usually 6 days)

  • Additional exclusion criteria (symptoms) must also be resolved for child to return

Stay home from school: 

• • Yes

May return:

• • After 5 days of antibiotics (or after cough has been present for 21 days)

  • Additional exclusion criteria (symptoms) must also be resolved for child to return

Stay home from school: 

• • Yes

May return:

• • Only on a date specified by public health authorities

  • 4 days after rash onset and with resolution of symptom-based exclusion criteria

Stay home/get sent home from school: 

• • Maybe

  • Yes: if sores are draining fluid and unable to be covered with a bandage OR the child meets other ewxclusion criteria

May return:

• • Should be under the treatment by a healthcare provider

  • Sores should be kept covered until crusted

Do not share towels or clothing and use good hand hygiene. Wear gloves for dressing changes.

Stay home/get sent home from school: 

• • If discovered at school: can finish the day

  • Should return when treatment has been started

May return:

• Once treatment has been started 

• Lesions are covered, if possible

Do not share clothing, bedding or personal items.

The following illnesses need to stay home ONLY if exclusion criteria (first drop down) are present. Your child may return when symptoms have resolved. If no exclusion criteria is present, the child may be in school. 

• Fifth disease

• Hand/foot/mouth (unless child is excessively drooling with mouth sores)

• Head Lice 

• Molluscum Contagiosum (skin disease similar to warts)

• Ear infection

• Seasonal colds/allergies