New recommendation: allow kids with head lice in school

Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics is releasing a new clinical report suggesting that parents let their head lice infested children stay in school.

Dr. Cindy Devore is co-author of the report, as well as a pediatrician and chair-elect of the Council on School Health for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She explains how she and the report’s co-author, Dr. Barbara Frankowski, came up with their recommendations, and responds to those who are still skeptical. Dr. Devore says that lice aren’t as contagious as we are led to believe, and that staying in school is important to a child’s well-being.