Berkeley Parents Network: Sick Kids at School

Berkeley Parents Network

Sick Kids at School

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Advice about Health > Sick Kids at School

Kindergartener with cold sores

March 2002

I'm trying hard to determine the appropriate measured response to the following situation. About three weeks ago, I participated in a field trip for my son's kindergarten class. I noticed that one of his little classmates had a severe outbreak of cold sores on and around her mouth. I was surprised that her parents would send her to school in this kind of shape and that the teachers hadn't made mention of this to the parents. The thought passed. Then, a week later, sure enough, my son had cold sores for the first time ever on both sides of his mouth. I am a pretty cool customer in general, but I was apoplectic. Perhaps it was a coincidence, perhaps not. I called his teacher to leave a message - couldn't stop in to speak to her in person as I was on my way out of town on business - and came home to find a flyer sent home from his teacher from the Contra Costa Department of Public Health outlining various communicable diseases and their treatments. As for my son, the problem seemed to have cleared itself up. For now. So I'm wondering what to do, and my choices seem to be: to let it go, to speak to the head of the school, or to let the teacher know how upset I am that this kid was allowed in school in the first place and am wondering about what kind of hygiene is practiced among these kids. My son goes to a private school in case that information makes a difference. Thanks for your input.

I think I will ask our pediatrician what she would suggest, especially as she has young school-aged children too. In the past I've had to ask older children to NOT touch my young son (who had eczema which is highly susceptible to infection). There definitely needs to be more education about this issue; cold sores are so common, and therefore often not taken seriously.

I'd be livid if I were in your situation. These kind of things drive me crazy (even parents sending kids to school with snotty colds get me going). I think I'd speak to to the head of the school and to the teacher. I suppose if you really wanted to get on the bandwagon you could talk to the Parent Organization and other parents....I'm all for taking this somewhere and not letting it go. Good luck. June

You're right that the little girl with the cold sores should have been treated like she was contagious (she was!). You certainly should address this with the school. The information missing in your post is what you did with your child during the time he was contagious and you were away on business. Was he out of school while he was infectious? Its a fine line we all walk... Heather

I agree with your concern about children coming to school in a health-compromised state. I think there are many parents who simply send their children to school sick beacuse it is a distruption of their workday, and they feel they can't do anything about it! Cold-sores are a form a of herpes and are very contageous. I would definitely have a conversation with both the teacher and the principal to set guidelines or agree on enforcing the guidelines that already exist. Amazingly, BUSD schools don't have school nurses (there is 1 for the whole district I hear), so the responsibility of evaluating kids' health falls on the teacher or school secretary. Considering all the kids with asthma, various disabilities (emotional and otherwise), playground accidents, food allergies, etc. it is amazing more children don't die at school! I have had many conversations about this issue over the past couple of years. Public health is a real problem in our schools, it is just not one that gets a lot of attention until there is a serious emergency, like everything else. Claire

I think that you should call the parents, the teacher and the principal, all of whom are responsible for dealing with this problem. I had a similar problem when my infant was in daycare. One child came to daycare with obvious cold sores on his mouth after being out for only one day. He had a note from his doctor saying that he was okay to be back, and that was sufficient for the teachers to let him back in, despite the fact that he would be touching other children and mouthing and sharing toys with other children all day long. It would have been impossible for the other children not to be exposed. I took my child home and never returned to that daycare! I expressed my concern to the teacher who said that she could only follow the official rule (that says that a note form a doctor is sufficient) and I wrote a letter to the director who did not even respond. I think that children who are not old enough to understand and practice proper hygiene should not be allowed to go to school/daycare with cold sores. I think that there should be much more awareness and concern in schools/daycare centers about this issue. a parent

It doesn't matter whether it is private or public school. When you first noticed the sick child would have been the appropriate time to speak up. The child should have been sent to the office immediately and anot allowed onthe field trip. I know this sounds cruel but your child got sick as a result. The fact that a notice was sent home later tells me other children got sick as well. I would speak to the principal and let them know that a child's disappointment at not being allowed on a field trip due to sickness should not be a priority over exposing other children to that same sickness. At my daughters school, the teacher makes the children use the antibacterial cleaners or wipes instead of using the sink to wash their hands. It's not as messy and they actually end up getting sick less often. Just a suggestion to pass along. marianne

You are never going to please all the people all the time. In a child care situation where staff are washing their hands constantly, removing ''mouthed'' toys immediately and disinfecting them, changing sheets daily, etc...there is still illness. It's a constant battle. Clearly, admitting a child who has cold sores requires staff to be vigilent. It has been suggested by several reliable sources that a child only be excluded if he is a biter or drools uncontrollably as the virus is transmitted through direct contact. To working parents exclusion of their child for 10-14 days is not realistic. We try our very best in this field to provide quality care for young children, but we can't please everyone. A conscientious care giver

I've seen several people suggesting use of antibacterial wipes or other antibacterial products as a way of stopping the spread of disease between children--in this case, cold sores. There is a big misconception that these antibacterial products are useful. In fact, most childhood illnesses are viral, not bacterial; this includes cold sores (which are caused by the herpes virus). The main thing antibacterial products do is cause the proliferation of antibacterial-product-resistant bacteria. An Anti-antibacterial Mom

The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network. Please see Disclaimer & Usage for information about using content on this website.