THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL NURSES (NASN) AND TRIAMINIC(R) OFFER "SICK DAY GUIDELINES: MAKING THE RIGHT CALL WHEN YOUR CHILD HAS A COLD"

You just know when your child isn't feeling well, but how can you know when coughs and sniffles mean it's time to keep your child home from school? Or when to call the doctor? Since school-aged children get up to 10 colds a year, it can be a puzzle for many parents.

That's why the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and Triaminic® have partnered to create "Sick Day Guidelines: Making the Right Call When Your Child Has a Cold." Some 22 million school days are missed each year in the U.S. due to colds, which are also the leading cause of doctor visits and missed school and work days.

Read on for useful information to help you make the right call on your child's next sick day.

If you're unsure when to keep your child home from school, you have lots of company. A nationwide study conducted for Triaminic® found these important results*:

83% of parents worried that they might have sent their child back to school too soon at least once 78% said it would be useful to have Sick Day Guidelines

79% said it's important to have information to help them understand the type of medication or treatment their child needs

Consider keeping your child home if he or she:
Has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher

Has been vomiting

Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:

Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite

Productive coughing, sneezing

Headache, body aches, earache

Sore throat*

*A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset. Contact your pediatrician as your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat.

Keep your child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow the recovery process and can unnecessarily expose others to illness.

Please note, these tips should not take the place of medical advice from a doctor or pediatrician. Parents should also be aware of guidelines specific to their child's school

The flu is serious! Call your pediatrician at the first sign of flu symptoms, which typically come on suddenly, including:

High fever

Chills

Head ache, body aches, ear ache

Nausea, vomiting

Dry cough

If you're unsure about the best way to treat your child's cold or flu, ask your school nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and put limits on TV watching
Encourage fluids; such as water, soup, juice and ice

Help your child relax by reading him or her a story and giving him plenty of TLC
Consider using a cool humidifier

When used as directed, children’s cough and cold medicines help relieve cough and cold symptoms while your child is getting better. Read and follow the directions carefully and give the exact recommended dose for the child’s age. Do not use over the counter cough and cold medications for children under the age of four in the U.S.

Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently using plenty of soap and warm water. Proper hand-washing should take about 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.

Teach your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their sleeve

Keep the child's environment tobacco free

Try to minimize the time your child spends with other children who have cough or cold symptoms

Pack easy-to-use products like disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers in your child's backpack to use when he or she is at school

Keep an annual well-child exam to follow changes in your child's health

Keep all of your child's immunizations up-to-date (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines now recommend a flu vaccine for most children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday)

Serve a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Giving a daily vitamin may be recommended by your pediatrician

After your child is feeling better, clean all surfaces; wash the bedding and air out the room

Keep surfaces like door knobs, phones, remote controls, toys, and keyboards clean
Always make sure to consult your school nurse or doctor if you have any questions

For further information, visit Triaminic's website at: http://www.triaminic.com/moms-just-know/sick-day-guidelines.shtml