Illness and injury policy.

t Bloom Pediatrics, your child’s health and safety — along with the well-being of other children and families we serve — is our top priority. To maintain a safe environment, we ask that children attend sessions only when they are feeling healthy, rested, and comfortable. Illness can prevent children from fully participating in therapy and may put other children, some of whom may be immunocompromised, at risk.

General Guidelines

  • Children with two or more common symptoms (see below) or a fever of 100.4°F or higher should stay home until they are well.

  • Children with any severe symptoms or a diagnosed communicable disease should not attend sessions until cleared.

  • If your child becomes ill during their session, we will end the session and ask that they be taken home.

If your child is not well enough to attend school, they are not well enough to attend therapy.

Common Illness Symptoms

Children experiencing two or more of the following, or with a fever of 100.4°F or higher, should remain home:

  • Abdominal pain, nausea, or stomach upset

  • Cough, congestion, runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, nosebleeds

  • Breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, or shallow breathing

  • Sore throat

  • Body aches or headache

  • Pink/red eyes, excessive tearing, discharge

  • Ear pain

  • Rash or skin irritation (if contagious, must remain home)

Severe Illness Symptoms

Children with the following symptoms should be kept home and evaluated by a physician before returning:

  • Vomiting more than twice in 24 hours, diarrhea, bloody stool

  • Severe cough, wheezing, or difficulty breathing

  • Skin/lips appearing bluish or gray

  • Persistent nosebleeds, excessive drooling, or inability to swallow

  • Head injury with vomiting, vision changes, confusion, or behavior changes

  • Signs of meningitis (stiff neck, fever, headache, sensitivity to light)

  • Painful eye injury, vision changes, or eye discharge that is crusty/goopy

  • Severe rash, open wounds, or suspected contagious skin conditions

  • Allergic reaction symptoms (hives, throat tightness, wheezing, vomiting)

Communicable Diseases

Return-to-session timelines for common illnesses:

  • COVID-19: May return once testing negative and fever-free for 24 hours. If exposed but not positive, please wear a mask in session.

  • Flu: Return once fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

  • RSV: Return once fever-free for 48 hours without medication.

  • Strep Throat: Return after 48 hours on antibiotics.

  • Hand, Foot, and Mouth: Return once fever-free for 24 hours and blisters are scabbed.

  • Lice: Return after 48 hours, once free of lice and eggs.

  • Ringworm: Return 72 hours after starting antifungal treatment (keep affected area covered until healed).

  • Pink Eye: Return after 24 hours on antibiotics, or after 5 days if untreated.

  • Chickenpox: Return once all lesions are scabbed over.

  • Impetigo: Return after 48 hours on antibiotics.

  • Scabies: Return 72 hours after treatment begins.

  • Pinworm: Return 48 hours after treatment begins.

  • Mononucleosis: Return once fever-free for 48 hours and with physician clearance.

Acute Injuries

  • Fractures / Casts / Splints: A doctor’s clearance is required before returning. Therapy may be modified to support safe participation.

  • Sprains: Children may return when swelling is resolved and the area can bear weight without pain. A doctor’s clearance is required for early return.

  • Lacerations: Wounds must be covered and protected; high-risk areas should be healed before returning.

  • Burns: Minor burns may be covered and protected; moderate to severe burns require physician clearance.

  • Head Injuries / Concussions: Children may not attend until cleared by a physician with written return-to-play authorization.

Cancelling Sessions Due to Illness

  • If you notify us before the session begins that your child is sick, we will assist with scheduling a make-up session.

  • If notice is given 24 hours or more in advance, you may also use one of your allotted courtesy cancellations (see our full Cancellation Policy for details).

This policy helps us maintain a safe and healthy environment for all families at Bloom Pediatrics. Thank you for your understanding and for working with us to protect the health of every child in our community.