When to send ds back to school? Flu-like illness

[JustBeingJobless]

Ds (12) has been off school since Friday with a temperature, cough, runny nose, headache, achiness etc. School are getting twitchy and have asked for a doctors note, as they are not happy he’s being kept off with a “cold” but the doctor has spoken to me on the phone and just said it’s a flu-like virus and just give regular paracetamol and plenty of fluids and rest.

His temperature today has been between 38.5 (when he first woke up) and 37.4 (now, after regular paracetamol). He’s still coughing a lot, says his throat is sore and he’s just really tired, but his dizziness and headache have gone. He’s also got very little appetite (has managed 2 slices of toast and marmite today) and just feels generally crap.

I’ve had a similar virus, although mine turned into sinusitis, and I’m still feeling a bit rubbish 3 weeks on! So, when do I decide he can manage school? Should I wait until his temperature is consistently normal? I feel like school don’t believe he’s ill!

When temperature comes down (without paracetamol)

Temp should definitely be normal without meds, at the very least. These viruses are horrible and take time to get over. If he's not eating, he's obviously not well.

Thanks. That’s what I thought was right. I feel almost guilty having him at home as school have really interrogated me on the phone, but he’s genuinely feeling rubbish.

Normal temperature without meds is my determining factor. And don't bother trying to get a doctors note, they have enough on their plate.

In the past I have emailed pictures of my child and thermometer readings!

Holymolymackerel I did think about doing that earlier!

I’m not going to try and get a doctors note, it’s a complete waste of an appointment. I just thought I’d ring and get their advice as then it’s on record that I’ve done that if school ask for proof.

My son was off for 2 weeks with similar. He did go in for one morning in that time but school sent him home again. Keep him off until he's 100% recovered

Having a normal temperature without meds for at least 24 hours.

DD has just been off for a full week (plus the weekend on either side) with similar. We had one day half-way through when I thought she was better and planned to send her back the next day, then her temperature spiked back up to 40 overnight and she really went downhill.

You DS school should know better than to try to get him back before he's well.