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How Do You Decide When Your Child Is Too Sick For School?

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - It is a question many parents face during the school year, when do you decide if your child is too sick to go to school? Sometimes it is obvious, but other times it's not so clear.

Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker joined the "KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway to give some tips.

Dr. Hacker says while there isn't an exact science to when to keep your child home from school, a temperature of 100.5 degrees is "used a lot," as a benchmark.

She said infections like strep throat and pink eye are highly contagious and the student needs to stay home. She adds, "usually after treatment they are good to go (back to school) after 24 hours."

"Bottom line is if you're concerned you should probably call your doctor's office and ask for their advice," Dr. Hacker says.

The same thing goes for adults calling off from work. Dr Hacker adds if you think you have the flu, "we want you to stay home because it's so contagious."

Listen to the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

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