Parents 'lose money' caring for ill children

Wednesday, March 17 2010

Parents' finances may be suffering as they are forced to take time off work to care for children who are ill.

But many of these illnesses could be prevented by good hygiene, such as washing hands properly, Carex has revealed.

Some 61 per cent of children miss school because they are suffering from common colds, sickness bugs, flu and diarrhoea, research shows.

And 43 per cent of parents have been forced to take unpaid leave from work to care for the sick youngsters.

Dr Carol Cooper said: "Teachers especially are always concerned that absence has an effect on a child's education … but it's not just their learning that's at risk - it also affects parents' pockets."

She added that 79 per cent of parents are taking time off work for this reason, with one in three taking it as holiday, one quarter as a sick day and the rest taking unpaid leave.

Washing hands effectively could prevent these illnesses and save money in the long run.