Sickness

Step 1 | Symptom check : Does your child have any of these symptoms?

• Fevers or chills OR a temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Sore throat
• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/ asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
• Runny nose

Answer yes if the symptom is NEW or DIFFERENT from how your child usually is, or is UNEXPLAINED. Trust your judgement. You know best how your child looks and acts when they are getting sick.

Please note that the CDC website provides a slightly different list of symptoms.

Step 2: Fever check

If your child does not have symptoms, and if the program is choosing to check temperatures, they will take your child’s temperature to check for fever. Some programs may ask you to take your child’s temperature with a thermometer yourself instead. A fever is a temperature over 100.4o F when you take your child’s temperature at home or at the program.

Important Note | Visual Check (SFPDH Guidance | Schools, Childcares, and Programs for Children and Youth) 

The visual check allows LFSF to send a child home if the child looks ill when they arrive, even if the parent or guardian says the child has no symptoms. Look at the child or youth for signs of illness like flushed cheeks, difficulty breathing, fatigue, or extreme fussiness. If the child is flushed or breathing rapidly from heat or exercise, give them time to cool down, then see if they still look ill.

[Source: SFDPH Guidance | For Parents and Guardians: COVID-19 Health Checks at Schools, Childcares, and Programs for Children and Youth]