The National Health Service (NHS) has issued a timely warning to parents across the United Kingdom as children return to classrooms this week. In a social media post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the health service highlighted the difficulty of deciding whether a child is well enough to attend school.
Navigating the 'Too Ill for School?' Dilemma
The NHS acknowledged that it can be "tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they're unwell." To help, they have published clear guidance on their website covering a total of 18 different conditions and illnesses. The advice aims to balance a child's health needs with the importance of their education and routine.
Key Illnesses and Official NHS Advice
Here is the essential guidance for parents, based on the NHS recommendations:
High Temperature: A child with a high temperature should remain at home until it subsides.
Chickenpox: Keep your child off school until all the spots have crusted over, which usually takes about five days from when they first appear.
Vomiting and Diarrhoea: Children must stay away from school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
Impetigo: This requires treatment, often antibiotics. Keep your child home until all sores have crusted and healed, or for 48 hours after starting antibiotics.
Scarlet Fever: Treatment with antibiotics from a GP is needed. A child can return to school 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment.
Measles: The NHS stresses that children with measles must see a GP. Keep your child off school for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears and avoid contact with vulnerable individuals.
Illnesses That Usually Don't Require Time Off
The NHS also lists several common ailments where attendance is generally acceptable, provided the child feels well enough.
Coughs and Colds: It is fine to send a child with mild symptoms like a runny nose or slight cough, provided they have no fever.
Head Lice and Nits: No absence is necessary. Treat the condition and inform the school.
Cold Sores: Children can attend but should be encouraged not to touch the blister or share items like cups and towels.
Conjunctivitis: Attendance is acceptable unless the child feels very unwell.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: If the child seems well, they can go to school. Encourage good hygiene like regular hand washing.
Sore Throat: A child can go to school unless it is accompanied by a high temperature, which may indicate tonsillitis.
Anxiety, Covid-19, and Supporting Resources
The guidance also covers non-infectious conditions. For anxiety or worry, the NHS notes that avoiding school can sometimes make a child's anxiety worse. It recommends discussing worries like bullying or schoolwork and working with the school to find solutions.
Regarding Covid-19, the current advice states that children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose or slight cough can attend school if they feel well enough. They should try to stay at home if they have a high temperature or do not feel well enough for normal activities.
The NHS alert coincides with broader government efforts to promote health in schools. Experts at GOV.UK recommend educating children on hygiene, germs, and vaccination. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers free, interactive lesson plans for ages 3 to 16 on the e-Bug.eu website to help prevent infections in educational settings.
This comprehensive list provides parents with a vital reference point during the winter term, helping to ensure children's health is protected while minimising unnecessary disruption to their learning.
