How Sick Is Too Sick for School? RSV, Flu and Colds Strain Parents and School Nurses

Tensions are rising between parents and school nurses over children showing up to school with coughs, colds and symptoms of viral infections.

Levels of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, influenza, and other respiratory viruses are surging early this year. The flood is straining school nurses and creating tough decisions for parents, who worry about children missing instruction and balancing job demands with child care. School nurses are pushing back, sending sick children home and reminding families about illness guidelines. 

Some parents are sending children to school sick or returning them too quickly after...