Fever over 100.4 degrees is a sure sign the child is too sick to leave home. But McCulloh says some schools and daycare centers have fever restrictions.
Fever is definitely a sign the child is ill.
And some children are really effected even by a low-grade fever. If the child is lethargic, then they won't benefit from being at school anyway and should stay at home. Unless fever accompanies a common cold there is no reason to keep a child home. Older children should be reminded to cover the mouths when they cough and to wash their hands often. But bronchiolitis is another story.