Older children should be reminded to cover the mouths when they cough and to wash their hands often. But bronchiolitis is another story. Children need to stay home. Wheezing, chest congestion and coughing is more pronounced in infants and toddlers and the condition is usually accompanied by fever. Children should be kept home until their breathing is normal, generally two to five days.
Ear infections are another common childhood ailment.
McCulloh said the affliction can be painful and children tend to be irritable and probably should be kept at home until the condition improves. Antibiotics are usually given to clean up the bacteria that normally cause the infections. Usually improvement will be seen in 24 hours after antibiotics are given. Croup is more common in children under age 5 and usually means they should be kept at home. Trouble breathing and a cough, which sounds much like a seal barking are indications the child needs medical attention right away.