Sending sick kids to school

(cbs4)

It is something most every parent has to go through. When a child gets sick, should mom and dad decide to keep that sick child home from school or daycare?

It's a tough decision that often has parents, doctors and child care providers disagreeing about which symptoms warrant keeping a child home. If both parents work, the decision becomes even more difficult.

Stay at home mom Lucy Burks decided to keep her son Jack home from school when he wasn't feeling well and she told CBS4's Liv Davalos that many working parents don't do the right thing.

"It does become a problem because the classroom is like a breeding ground it can spread like wildfire," said Burks.

Mom Beatriz Wagman agrees it's frustrating.

"It's very frustrating. You follow the rules and other parents send their kids sick," said Wagman.

So just what are the rules?

That's a tricky question because some schools and daycares may not see eye to eye on this topic.

Here's a pretty standard list of symptoms that should keep a child home:


A fever of 100 degrees or more
Diarrhea or vomiting
A rash with a fever
Anything contagious like pink eye or chicken pox
If your child has a mild cold without a fever, it's usually okay to take him or her to school.

Pediatrician Dr. Philip Floyed warns parents need to be vigilant during flu season. He suggests parents assess their child each morning to make sure they're not coming down with something.

"Looking sick is a child who doesn't want to eat, is unprepared to face the day," said Floyed.

Parents who can't miss another day of work should have a back up plan for child care such as a support system like grandma to babysit.

They should also look into providers who offer "sick child" daycare which are places where you can take your mildly sick child while you go to work.

Doctor's agree prevention is always the best medicine.

Make sure your children and their providers practice good hygiene. Frequent hand washing especially during cold and flu season can't hurt either.