One of the problems most often confronting parents of school-age children occurs when a child complains of not feeling well on a school day.

The following is not intended as medical advice, but is merely designed as a guideline to be followed until your health care provider can be contacted.

Children should usually be kept at home if any of the following conditions are present (keep in mind the absence of fever does not always indicate the child is well enough to attend school):

• New loss of taste or smell
• Fever over 100 degrees
• Muscle or body aches
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 48 hours
• Undiagnosed skin rashes with fever
• Sore throat with fever and difficulty swallowing
• Rashes
• Headache persisting longer than 24 hours
• Toothache, ear pain or abdominal pain and cramping
• Skin infections
• Eyes that are painful red, and matted with thick discharge
• Coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing

Medication at school

No medication is allowed at school without the written permission of the prescribing health care practitioner and parent/guardian.

Medical insurance

Students without medical insurance may be eligible for the Washington State Health Plan even if their parents are employed. Call 877-543-7669 for more information.