When to Keep Your Student Home From School

School attendance is very important for your student in order to have the opportunity to learn. However, within the school community there are illnesses that may be passed directly or indirectly to one another.

It can be difficult to decide when and how long to keep your student home from school. Please follow the link for South Carolina Department of Health (SCDPH) requirements for when to keep your student home from school. The school nurse may also be able to answer questions you may have.    

If your student becomes ill while at school, you will be contacted to pick up your student. The school nurse is not able to diagnose illnesses or prescribe medication.

Students cannot return to school until the following symptoms have been resolved for at least 24 hours without any medication or they have been diagnosed and cleared to return by a healthcare professional:

  • Fever (greater than 100 degrees)

  • Rash of unknown origin

  • Persistent Deep Cough

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Children with the following conditions do not have to be excluded from school or childcare if they feel well enough to participate in regular activities:

  • Canker Sores

  • Chronic Hepatitis B or C

  • Colds or coughs, without fever or other signs of illness

  • Cold Sores

  • Croup

  • Cytomegalovirus (your child may need to stay out of PE and sports)

  • Disease spread by mosquitoes: Malaria, West Nile Virus

  • Diseases spread by ticks: Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia

  • Ear Infection

  • Fifth Disease

  • HIV infection

  • Mononucleosis (your child may need to stay out of PE and sports)

  • MRSA, if child is only a carrier

  • Pinworms

  • Rash without fever or behavior change

  • Roseola, once the fever is gone

  • Thrush

  • Urinary Tract Infection

  • Warts, including Molluscum contagiosum

  • Yeast Diaper Rash

SCDPH School and Childcare Exclusion List: Frequently Asked Questions

When should my sick child stay home from school or childcare?

If your child feels too sick to go to school or childcare and is unable to participate in activities, please keep him or her at home.

Does my child need to stay home when he or she just has a cold?

Most children with mild colds who have no fever (without taking fever reducing medication) and who feel well enough to go to school or childcare do not need to stay home.

Does my child need to be out of school or childcare if he or she has pinkeye?

No. It is helpful to think of pinkeye like the common cold—it usually clears up without medicine

How long will my child need to stay home if he or she is sick?

The School and Childcare Exclusion List explains how long children should stay home after they become sick with certain illnesses.

When would my child have to stay home if my child is not sick?

Sometimes children will have to stay home from school or childcare if they are exposed to certain diseases. Your school, childcare center, or local health department will discuss the amount of time with you.

What illness might keep my child from participating in other activities?

Children with illnesses that can be spread to others may not be allowed to participate in some sports, physical education, or other school activities.