Sick students spread the germs

As students listen to the common sounds of pupils wheezing, sneezing and coughing, it is obvious that they are sick and should not be at school. Academic pressure from highly competitive schools such as Peninsula often compel students to come to school even when they should stay home ill.

With many students coming to school sick each day just to not get behind, the chance to spread the illness increases exponentially and the probability of getting better is hindered. According to FluView, a surveillance report prepared by the Influenza Division, it states that from February 3 to February 9, influenza activity remain elevated in the United States as a whole. 19.7% of the specimens tested were positive for influenza. Being sick in public can harm a student’s efficiency, mood and long-term health.

“If [students] are sick and contagious, they are not going to do well on the exam,” school nurse Wendy Keller said. “They can wipe out a whole class by coming to school sick.”

Students must realize that the test will wait; taking an exam with a stuffy nose or a fever does not allow for sufficient and successful test-taking. A sickness is an excused absence, and therefore, students should not feel like occasional and necessary absences will hurt them.

Illnesses spread via air and shared food or drink. If a student comes to school coughing and feeling ill, it is probable that he or she will transfer his or her disease. When particles from a sneeze or a cough go into a peer’s nose or mouth, the illness manifests and spreads.

Goal-oriented students often do not make the sensible decision of staying home with an ailment. For the sake of the student body and staff, however, it is imperative that students exercise consideration and restraint and focus on recovering.

More and more students catch the disease if others come to school to share it, creating the domino effect.