Parents are frequently asked to decide whether their child should attend school or stay home because of sickness. This decision is often straightforward if the child has a contagious disease or is seriously ill. For example, a vomiting child or one with a high fever should be kept home, as would one with chickenpox or measles rash.
Conversely, in many other situations, the outcome is more nuanced. Parents need to consider a range of factors to make the right decision. Aside from the illness itself, the need to navigate the physical, mental, and emotional stresses of a crowded school and typical academic day program must be considered.
The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Michigan recently released their report on a national poll asking parents of middle and high school students how and what they decided when their children reported feeling sick.