Would you send a child to school with a temp?

[Loobieloo27]

My 4yo dd is in reception. She's been snotty for about a week but yesterday developed a temp of 39.2. After calpol it started to come down but once calpol wears off starts rising again. Its now hovering around the 38 mark but appears fine in herself, tonsils fine and says no pain anywhere.

She wants to go to school tomorrow but im unsure, if she was outwardly poorly id keep her off but even with a temp of 39 she said she was ok just lethargic. What do others do?

My DD often used to get temp spikes after a virus when she was younger, or it could be the start of an ear infection bitter experience talking here so I'd keep an eye on her.

No idea what this schools policy is, but previous school was unmedicated for 24hrs following fever before returning.

No from me as well and honestly if I found out another child in one of DC classes was in school with a temp of over 39 I’d be annoyed.

I wouldn't even take her temperature unless she was feeling unwell. No question I'd send her in feeling fine.

It was 39.2 yesterday 3pm, midnight last night it was 38.5 and since then higher end of 37. Im only worried because last year she had a febrile convulsion so wouldnt want to send her incase it quickly went up again

No

Are you actually joking now with your update? No. No.

She needs a rest. Keep her off.

Generally parents let the teacher know and send the kid in if they feel fine otherwise. Sometimes they come in at lunchtime and dose with Calpol if needed.

No way! 39 is very high! Your child is clearly quite poorly and fighting something. Not only might your child feel very unwell at school, but could also pass it on to other children or anyone with a weaker immune system. Keep your child at home until they are well.

No
Especially if she has a history of febrile convulsions!

I’m amazed at the relaxed stance on high temp in the U.K. ... in my home country anything above 37 is stay at home territory, tea and toast all day.

With your update, did you really need to ask?!

In my home country anything above 37 is stay at home territory, tea and toast all day

Wow. Doctors here classed my kid's temperature of 37.5 as normal. Do you have a lot of stay at home parents where you're from?

I was only asking because i said i was keeping her off but everybody i've spoke to have said i should send her because she's acting 'fine'. Shes not had calpol since 8am and temp is 36.5

@RolytheRhino Not that many, but culturally grandparents are very involved and it’s unthinkable for them to say no to childcare

I teach in an infant school. I am already Immunosuppressed due to medication I take. I'm also recovering from a heart procedure and, although back at work, need to be careful. As they don't yet have it in stock at my GP or local pharmacy I've not yet been able to have a flu vaccination. So overall I am feeling somewhat vulnerable right now - and half term is coming up and I'd like not to be ill for that.

So if your Dd is harbouring a big, which a temperature would suggest, please keep her away from school. It's not fair to the other children and the staff there.

Your OP Says her temperature is currently hovering around 38. Now you say 36.
So I guess it's a case of monitoring though with her history I'd take no chances anyway.

Gosh, her temperature is fluctuating wildly hour to hour isn't it?

Definitely keep her off, to vary so much in such a short space of time is a worry.

I'd send mine but then I haven't taken their temperature for about 4 years- IME temperature hasn't been a relevant factor in how well they feel in themselves. Our school said at induction that they can come in sniffly or coughing as long as they're ok in themselves.

Working in the school office, having to look after the sick ones while parents had to go to work is awful. All they want is their mum or dad.
I know it’s hard, I’m a parent too. But please be sensible, keep them home if they are unwell

If her temp has reduced to normal and she's fine, send her in. It may go up again a little in the morning but under 38 and fine, it's not an issue. Make sure the school can give calpol if she needs it again before they call you.

Kids get endless bugs when they start nursery, it's a viral soup. They need it to build up their immunity anyway.

Do you even need to ask? 🤨 She has a temperature. Keep her off school, make sure she’s comfortable and work from home if your job allows.

I don’t know what other posters are reading, but the little girl had a rather high temp yesterday, that has steadily come down since then, first with paracetamol, but then maintaining a normal temp after the effects of the medication have worn off. A temp of 36.5 12 hours after calpol is normal.

I’d send her OP, as long as her temp doesn’t shoot up again. The incidence of febrile convulsions is higher when temps rise quickly- as opposed to a high temp alone. But it sounds like she’s returned to normal anyway.

My DS is 3 and between 6 months and 2 he was very unlucky and often ill, with very very high fevers (up to 41.5!! And on that occasion was absolutely 100% fine- baffled the GP when I ran there with him in my arms...) also had a tendency to spike high fevers when fighting off a bug (it’s how the body fights infection so makes sense) - and would be perfectly well in himself. A fever alone is not, for all children, a huge deal.

Honestly, unless she has other symptoms, her temp rises again, or your gut is telling you to keep her home, I’d send her in.