It’s 6 a.m. and your child woke up with a fever, but they seem fine otherwise. You have a work meeting you can’t miss. You wonder: “Can my child go to daycare with a fever?” Unfortunately, the answer is usually no, not with a fever.<\/p>
Even if your child isn’t acting too sick, if they have a fever, most daycares do not allow children to attend. Why is this? “A fever (over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) is usually a sign of infection and when the child is the most contagious to others,” says Dr. Tracy Tyson<\/a>, board-certified pediatrician.<\/p> Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know about daycare fever policies, including what the temperature cutoff is, when your child can return to daycare and when to call the doctor about a fever.<\/p> Fever rules for daycare<\/a> usually state that when a child has a fever, they can’t attend daycare that day. “The fever is a sign the infection is rapidly progressing in the body, and that is when the child is most contagious to others,” Tyson explains.<\/p> Make sure you check your daycare’s handbook for their policy specifications, and check in with your child’s pediatrician if you have questions about a fever or other symptoms.<\/p> “A child may also need to stay home for other symptoms, such as repeated vomiting or certain rashes, even if they don’t have a fever. Your pediatrician can guide you based on the symptoms, examination and suspected illness.”<\/p>— Dr. Andrew Elliston, pediatrician<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> Any temperature at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) counts as a fever<\/a>.<\/p> The most reliable temperature-taking method for kids depends on their age and maturity. <\/p> Rectal temperatures are usually used for infants. “An oral temperature works well for children old enough to cooperate, and a temporal\/forehead thermometer is a good option for younger children,” says Dr. Andrew Elliston<\/a>, pediatrician and co-founder of Elliston Health in New York.<\/p> Ear thermometers can be accurate in children over 6 months old when used correctly, says Elliston. Underarm temperatures are an option, but they are usually less accurate.<\/p> Fever is not always a sign of serious illness. According to Elliston, you should call your child’s pediatrician if:<\/p> Read more:<\/strong><\/p>Key takeaways<\/h3>
Can my child go to daycare with a fever?<\/h2>
What temperature counts as a fever?<\/h2>
What’s the best way to take a child’s temperature? <\/h3>
When to call a doctor about a fever?<\/h3>