Appearing usually with the arrival of autumn, the flu season does not pass anyone by. Infections affect both adults and children. Schools or kindergartens become a place where diseases can spread especially quickly, so it is worth knowing the general principles of prevention, thanks to which you can effectively reduce the occurrence of infections. Probably no one needs to be reminded of frequent hand washing or refraining from coughing in open spaces. However, many parents wonder, can a sick child leave the house or go to kindergarten?
A child’s illness can be a major obstacle – parents can’t always take days off work or arrange for their children to be cared for. Children’s illnesses have the characteristic of coming on very quickly, so there is not much time to act. For this reason, sometimes parents would like their child to go to kindergarten, especially when the symptoms present are mild. However, no illness in a child can be underestimated, and going to kindergarten with a runny nose or fever can not only worsen our child’s condition, but also lead to the infection of other children. Sick children in kindergarten is a challenge not only for teachers, but also for parents who have to suddenly stop work to pick up their child from classes.
Can a child with a subfebrile condition go to kindergarten?
We speak of a subfebrile state in a child when the body temperature is between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius. Thus, it is not yet a fever, but it is the first signal that something worrying is happening in the child’s body. An elevated body temperature can be one of the symptoms of an infection or infectious disease. It usually appears in the evening or at night, but this is not the rule, and it can also have a different course in different children. Although a subfebrile state in a child in many cases is nothing dangerous, it should not be underestimated. As we have already mentioned, it can be the first symptom of a cold or flu, and thus herald an impending illness. For this reason, the child should stay at home and avoid contact with other children. It is worth remembering that childhood illnesses can be highly contagious, and have a violent course – a child may feel quite well in the morning, but it is in the kindergarten that his condition and well-being will worsen. It only takes one sick child to infect the entire group, so it’s not worth the risk and leave the toddler at home. By doing so, we will not only protect other children, but also make our child recover faster.
The situation is slightly different when it comes to a short walk out of the house. Parents often ask pediatricians whether a sick child can go for a walk. In the case of a lighter cold or an infection of the upper respiratory tract only, a short outdoor activity is advisable. As always, however, common sense should be exercised: the walk should not be too long, take place in nice weather, and the child should not meet with peers, so as not to infect them. However, if the child has a high fever, chills or is severely weakened, do not encourage him or her to go outdoors, but ensure home rest, give plenty of fluids and medications recommended by the doctor.
Childhood diseases vs. kindergarten
A runny nose, cold or fever is not enough – a child can also contract smallpox, tonsillitis, mumps and rubella. In medicine, these are often referred to as “childhood diseases,” since this is when they occur most often. They are characterized by high contagiousness and also require the child to stay at home without fail. A sick child in kindergarten will infect other children, and it should also be borne in mind that there may be immunocompromised children in the group, in whom the disease will run more strongly.
So the question of whether a sick child can go to kindergarten should be answered: no, the child must stay at home and follow other doctor’s recommendations. Rest, proper hydration and taking medication play a key role in recovery.
When can a child return to kindergarten after an illness?
Childhood infections and illnesses are usually not very long-lasting, it usually happens that after just a few days the child recovers, plays and wants to return to his friends. In the case of a cold, flu or fever, a child can return to kindergarten 2-3 days after all symptoms have subsided.
A child after an infectious disease can return to kindergarten a few days after the symptoms have subsided. If parents have doubts, a medical consultation would be a good idea. Most diseases are highly contagious in the first two to three days after the onset of symptoms, and then the child should absolutely avoid contact with other children. Later, symptoms usually begin to subside, and the risk of infection also becomes less and less.
In kindergarten Butterfly 3 we attach a very important role to the child’s development and well-being. That is why we ask parents not to bring sick children to the kindergarten and to always remember the hygiene rules in force, as well as to cooperate with the caregivers. In this way, we can not only teach children, help them in their play and daily development, but also take care of their health every day.
Sick child in kindergarten is a serious problem – infectious diseases can spread very quickly, and this will cause the ailment to pass on to other members of the kindergarten group as well. To prevent this, it is necessary to apply simple principles of hygiene and prevention – regular hand washing, avoiding large concentrations of people or infected people, but also leaving the child at home as soon as we notice the first worrying symptoms. Even an elevated temperature can be a harbinger of a developing infection, which can turn into a more severe cold or flu within hours. That is why one of the elements of prevention in children is home isolation in case of illness. It is imperative that we keep this in mind especially during the first days of infection, when the risk of infecting other children is greatest.
