Back-to-school season in New Jersey brings predictable waves of illness — fevers, stomach bugs, pink eye, coughs, and sore throats.
When your child wakes up sick, the real question isn’t just what is this?
It’s:
- Should they stay home?
- Do we need medical evaluation?
- Is virtual pediatric care enough?
- Or do we need urgent care?
Here’s a practical NJ-specific guide to help you decide.
When to Keep Your Child Home from School in NJ
While policies vary slightly by district, medical guidance is consistent across New Jersey.
Fever and the 24-Hour Rule
If your child has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, they should stay home.
Most NJ schools follow the 24-hour rule:
Children should be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning.
Fever alone isn’t usually dangerous in otherwise healthy children — but it’s a sign the body is fighting infection.
Seek evaluation if:
- Fever lasts more than 3 days
- Fever returns after resolving
- Your child develops ear pain or severe throat pain
- Breathing changes
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Stomach viruses spread quickly in classrooms.
Keep your child home if they have:
- Active vomiting
- Frequent diarrhea
- Signs of dehydration
Most schools recommend remaining home until symptom-free for 24 hours.
Signs of dehydration:
- No urination for 8+ hours
- No tears
- Dry mouth
- Lethargy
Cough and “Not Themselves” Days
Coughs and congestion are common in NJ schools throughout fall and winter.
Your child can usually attend school if:
- No fever
- Normal breathing
- Energy level is good
Keep them home if they:
- Are excessively fatigued
- Cannot comfortably participate
- Have unexplained rash
- Seem significantly unwell
Perfect attendance is less important than recovery and preventing spread.
When to Start with Virtual Pediatric Care in NJ
Virtual pediatric care is a convenient first step for many school-related illnesses.
Consider starting virtually if your child has:
- Fever lasting more than 2–3 days
- Ear pain
- Pink eye symptoms
- Possible strep throat
- Persistent Cough
- Mild dehydration concerns
Through telehealth, clinicians can:
- Review symptom history
- Assess breathing via video
- Evaluate rashes or eye discharge using photos
- Determine whether testing is needed
- Send prescriptions when clinically appropriate
- Provide school documentation when appropriate
In many cases, virtual evaluation prevents unnecessary urgent care visits during peak illness seasons.
When Pediatric Urgent Care Is Necessary
Seek urgent care if your child develops:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe dehydration
- Extreme lethargy
- Severe abdominal pain
- Concerning symptoms in infants
When safety is unclear, immediate in-person care is appropriate.
Common School Illnesses in NJ
Each fall and winter, NJ families typically see:
- Viral colds
- Influenza
- Stomach viruses
- Pink eye
- Strep throat
- RSV in younger children
Most can be initially evaluated through virtual pediatric care before deciding whether in-person care is necessary.
FAQs About School Sick Days in NJ
Can a virtual pediatrician diagnose Lyme disease in New Jersey?
In many early cases, yes. When an expanding rash (erythema migrans) is present, Lyme disease is often diagnosed clinically — meaning based on symptoms and rash appearance rather than lab testing. Through virtual pediatric care in NJ, clinicians can review photos, assess exposure history, and determine whether antibiotics are appropriate.
Do all tick bites in NJ require antibiotics?
No. Most tick bites in New Jersey do not require antibiotics. Preventative antibiotics are only recommended when specific criteria are met, including prolonged tick attachment and high-risk exposure. Virtual pediatric care in NJ can help determine whether treatment is necessary.
How long after a tick bite should I monitor my child for Lyme symptoms?
New Jersey parents should monitor for up to 30 days after a tick bite. Early symptoms of Lyme disease — including an expanding rash, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches — typically appear within 3–30 days.
Is Lyme disease common in New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey is considered an area where Lyme disease is present. However, not every tick bite leads to infection. Careful monitoring and early evaluation — including virtual pediatric care — help ensure appropriate treatment when needed.
When should NJ parents seek urgent care for tick-related symptoms?
Seek urgent in-person evaluation if your child develops:
- Significant joint swelling
- Severe headache or neck stiffness
- Facial drooping
- Persistent high fever
- Neurologic symptoms
Virtual pediatric care is helpful for many early cases — but concerning symptoms require hands-on assessment.
Can prescriptions for Lyme disease be sent to NJ pharmacies through telehealth?
Yes. When clinically appropriate, prescriptions for Lyme treatment can be sent directly to your preferred New Jersey pharmacy following a virtual evaluation.
The Bottom Line for NJ Parents
School illness is inevitable — confusion doesn’t have to be.
Most childhood illnesses are mild and resolve with supportive care.
Some require medical evaluation.
A few require urgent care.
Knowing when to stay home, when to monitor, and when to seek guidance — including virtual pediatric care in NJ — reduces stress and unnecessary trips to urgent care.
