When the holiday season rolls around, parents scramble to finish party prep—outfits, cookies, gifts—only to wake up to a child’s sniffle.
A Runny Nose Isn’t a Deal‑Breaker
South Florida pediatrician Dr. Gabriella Dauer says a runny nose alone doesn’t scare her. “A lot of kids are going to have runny watery noses in the winter season. It can be from the cold weather, or it can be from allergies in the fall. A sniffle is not going to do much damage, especially with good hand hygiene,” Dauer told TODAY.com.
Her advice is straightforward: if the only symptom is a mild runny nose, the child can still attend the party, provided that basic hygiene practices—hand washing, covering coughs—are followed.
When to Stay Home
The real concern, Dauer explains, comes with fever, vomiting or diarrhea. “You should absolutely stay home if you wake up and you have a fever, if you wake up and you’re vomiting or have diarrhea — even if you had that yesterday,” she said. “I want 24 hours symptom‑free before we are going to a party because when you have a fever, you are at your highest contagion point.”
She also warns that a child who had a fever earlier in the day and was treated with Motrin, only to feel better, still needs to remain home. “If your kid had a fever this morning and you gave him Motrin and it went away, that doesn’t count,” Dauer added. “At that point, it’s better to stay home and keep your germs to yourself.”
How to Check a Fever
Dur’s recommendations on temperature checks are practical. She dismisses the need for a fancy scanner and instead suggests a standard in‑ear thermometer for children over two months old. For infants younger than two months, a rectal reading is advised. “A fever in that age group is a medical emergency,” she emphasized.
CDC Guidelines in Sync
Dur’s criteria align closely with those of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC advises staying home when:
- You have a fever.
- You vomit more than twice in the preceding 24 hours.
- You have diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements than usual.
- You have skin sores that are draining.
- You have respiratory virus symptoms that are not improving.
These points mirror Dauer’s emphasis on fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and worsening respiratory symptoms.
The Hidden Risks of a Sick Guest
Dur’s caution extends beyond the obvious. “You don’t know who has a newborn at home. You don’t know which one of these kids is immunocompromised or recently had cancer. You don’t know who has an immunocompromised person in their home,” she said.
She stresses that when we go to a party, we should expect others to exercise the same respect and decency by staying home if they are sick, especially when vulnerable people may be present.
Bottom Line
In short, a mild sniffle can be left at home, but any fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or worsening respiratory symptoms warrants staying away from gatherings. Use a reliable thermometer, keep the child symptom‑free for 24 hours, and follow CDC guidance. By doing so, parents can protect both their children and the broader community during the holiday season.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com.
