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When to Keep Kids Home This Cold and Flu Season

FCCPS Communications

September 25, 2026

The Fairfax County Health Department shares guidance on symptoms, sick days, and vaccines, in English, Spanish, and Russian.

Cold and flu season is here. The Fairfax County Health Department has shared guidance for families on keeping kids healthy and knowing when a sick day is the right call.

When to keep your child home

  • Fever: Keep your child home and away from others until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine.

  • Strep throat: Keep your child home for at least 12 hours after they start antibiotics, and until they are fever-free without medicine and their symptoms are improving.

  • More guidance on when to keep your child home is on the FCCPS Health Services page.

Symptoms to watch for

Flu and COVID-19 look alike. Symptoms can include a fever of 100°F or higher, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Some children also have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Throat infections usually bring a fever and sore throat without a stuffy nose or cough. A common cold usually doesn't cause a fever.

Consider a test

If your child is sick, your healthcare provider can test for flu and other respiratory illnesses. Home test kits for COVID-19 and flu are also sold at some pharmacies and grocery stores.

Help stop the spread at home

  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hands.

  • Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available, with supervision for younger children.

  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.

  • Don't share cups or utensils.

  • Let in fresh air. When it isn't too cold, open doors and windows or move activities outside.

  • Wipe down often-touched surfaces with a regular household cleaner, or with ¼ cup of chlorine bleach mixed into a gallon of room-temperature water. Always follow the label instructions.

Vaccines

Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available now.

  • Flu: The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a flu vaccine every year for everyone 6 months and older.

  • COVID-19: Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for your child. Anyone 6 months and older can choose to get vaccinated.

  • Both vaccines can be given at the same visit. Find a provider near you at VaccineFinder.

Questions?

Contact your school public health nurse.

Read the full letter

The full letter from Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Director of Health, includes fact sheets on flu and COVID-19. Printable versions: