Originally Posted by e.j.:
Sometimes a parent will ask me this because they want to know what their child might have come down with. For example, if their child has a rash and there are 2 other kids who have had HFM, it's likely that's what their child has. Or.. if another child is out with Strep and their child is complaining of a sore throat, they may bring the child to be checked sooner than later so I get why some parents ask the question.
I have had parents, though, who were looking to blame someone for their child's illness and whenever I get a sense that that's why they're asking, I tell them, "No, no one else is sick yet but I suspect that's about to change soon!"
I send out a notice to all parents when a kid comes down wit strep/flu/HFM/etc. With symptoms listed so they can be on the look out in their own child. It has proved helpful SO often.