Health Guidelines

When to stay home

In order for students at Madera Unified Schools to learn and achieve to their fullest potential, it is critical that they attend school and are engaged in the learning process.

Students should not be sent to school if they have any of the following signs or symptoms:

Fever (temperature of 100.4°F or greater)
Stay home until fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Sore throat
If caused by diagnosed strep throat, stay home until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. For all others, stay home if symptoms are severe, such as painful swallowing or difficulty breathing.

Cough (new and different from your baseline)
Stay home if the cough is severe, uncontrolled, or productive. For students with chronic cough due to allergies or asthma, stay home if there is a change from their usual cough.

Difficulty breathing
Seek emergency medical attention if severe or if the student is struggling to breathe. For mild shortness of breath, stay home and seek medical care.

Vomiting
Stay home until no vomiting for 24 hours.

Diarrhea
Stay home until diarrhea has resolved for 24 hours.

New loss of taste or smell
Stay home and seek testing and medical care.

Headache
Stay home if the headache is severe and does not get better with over-the-counter medicine.

Fatigue
Stay home if fatigue is severe and students are too tired to take part in school activities.

Muscle or body aches
Stay home if muscle aches are severe and do not get better with rest.

New nasal congestion or runny nose
Stay home if symptoms are severe enough to interfere with participation in school activities.

Nausea
Stay home if nausea interferes with eating or participation in school activities.

Eye redness with or without discharge
Seek medical evaluation if eye discharge is purulent (thick, colored), if vision is affected, or if symptoms include pain, fever, or severe itching. Exclude if symptoms are severe and interfere with school activities.