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Original poster

What is the etiquette now when child has heavy cold

46 replies

Wondergirl100 · 04/10/2021 08:56

Do they stay off school til better? What if child (7yrs) has mild cough (ie bit of coughing once or twice an hour) - no temp and bit of a blocked nose.

Test andback to school ? Or keep off til better?! What if they run a cold all winter!

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 04/10/2021 08:57

For a cold with no temp send them to school
Coughs and colds are really common

Littlejayx · 04/10/2021 08:58

My daughter is in reception and it seems like every child has this grotty snotty cold!

I’ve kept mine off just because the cough is relentless (been tested) but the school is happy enough for them to be in

moocow123 · 04/10/2021 09:03

I was wondering the same thing!!

Both of my girls have a cough & runny nose. I feel like I'm not allowed to send them but kind of have to work. I've sent them in!

I had it last week and felt like I couldn't cough or sneeze in the office so I spent half of the day coughing in the toilet!!

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AlexaShutUp · 04/10/2021 09:08

Wouldn't you do a pcr test and base your decision on the results?Confused

Readytogogogo · 04/10/2021 09:08

You need to get them tested.

girlmom21 · 04/10/2021 09:09

They've got a new continuous cough so pcr test and isolate until you've got the results.

If they test negative, and are well enough to be in school, send them in.

Vanillaradio · 04/10/2021 09:10

At ds's school its- pcr if persistent cough or temperature, send in if negative and they are well enough. Otherwise send in with other cold symptoms (but be prepared that they might be sent home and asked to take a test if the teacher takes a different view of the coughing or finds they have a temperature.

Whichjab · 04/10/2021 09:11

It's just not that difficult. Cough OR temp OR loss of taste get a test.

None of this, oh I know it's a cold rubbish just get a test and then act on that

starfish4 · 04/10/2021 09:12

With a cough, I'd say keep off school and get tested today - results should be back before school tomorrow.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 04/10/2021 09:12

For a new cough, keep them off for one day, go to the walk through PCR testing, and the result will be back in time for them to get back to school next day (assuming it's negative).

We will all be be doing this a lot this winter.

ifoundthebread · 04/10/2021 09:23

My son and all of his class have a cough, snotty nose and sneezing. General school yard illness. School have not even asked for a PCR, think its because the whole school would be closed if every kid with a cough was positive

LindaEllen · 04/10/2021 09:27

Test & send in if negative. They've missed enough school, but still need to be cautious and test.

SkankingMopoke · 04/10/2021 09:29

Some PPs are too quick to jump on the "what's so hard to understand? Get a test" bandwagon... OP isn't denying a test may be needed, they're asking if it's socially acceptable to send them in with a cold plus a negative test.
OP I'd say it's fine. DCs need to learn, adults need to work, and you are following school policy (or at least my DCs' school policy!). If they are well in themselves and have had a negative PCR for the cough, in they go.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 04/10/2021 09:29

It varies from area to area as around here every child with any illness has to be tested before they return
(Good job... all my DD had was a headache! And her sister, also positive, had no symptoms. Although this past week has been rather frustrating with two completely well children not allowed to leave the house, and neither could I as they couldn't be left alone)

There is a lot of cases locally though, hence the more testing. There's multiple children throughout the school with positive results.

Legomania · 04/10/2021 09:37

If they've been tested, they're good to go. Doesn't matter about the 'optics'.

My children are getting coughs on a weekly basis at the moment. They're not missing any more school than they have to.

flower11 · 04/10/2021 09:39

Delta presents as a cold. All four of us tested positive without any of the symptoms officially needed for test, dh and I had blocked nose, sore throat and headache. Children didn't really have any symptoms.

However there are lots of colds going around too. My 6 year old is now coughing and has snotty nose. He is in school having just had covid 3 weeks ago. Lots of parents are having to test for cold symptoms.

museumum · 04/10/2021 09:40

Round here we are testing but also keeping off a day or two then testing again before sending back. This is because most people we know with delta presenting with runny nose have taken a couple of days to test positive.

BessieFinknottle · 04/10/2021 09:53

I've had this dilemma too. Child with cold symptoms, coughing and sneezing. Obviously tested and it thankfully came back negative. However, the official regulations here (Ireland) say that they shouldn't be sent back to school following a negative PCR. You're suppose to wait 48 hours after all symptoms have resolved to send them back. Officially, at least.

In reality, I think most people will send them in as long as they have a negative test and are no longer really ill, as parents need to work and it's not Covid. But I can see the reasoning behind keeping them home too. One child spreading a cold means lots more tests for their classmates and lots of absent days waiting for results.

ittakes2 · 04/10/2021 10:01

I would get one of those nose only lateral flow tests because they can be used to test if a child has symptoms - test and if negative send back to school. My daughter's cold came back with three positive lateral flow tests.

Original poster
Wondergirl100 · 04/10/2021 10:01

So bizarre that people come on a thread like this just to be rude - thought this was a site for mums to ask for mild and non life threatening advice.

I'm obviously aware I could test her but she actually doesn't have covid symptoms - coughing once an hour briefly is not a 'new continuous cough' - and she may well have this on and off all winter

I don't like unnecessary testing - and if she is just sniffing a lot - what then? I'm also capable of mulling this over myself thanks so the nasty comments like 'god just get her tested' are totally pointless. I wanted out of interest to know other thoughts.

I think it's sad mumsnet has become somewhere with so much aggro.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wondergirl100 · 04/10/2021 10:03

And yes as someone said - after she gets tested (which I will do later today) - but still mild cough or sniff etc - is it okay to send her back? None of this is of major concern to me as I'm capable of working out a good solution I just like to hear others thoughts!

OP posts:
Kittii · 04/10/2021 10:05

Coughing once an hour is a cough and she should be isolating and getting a PCR!

BarbedButterfly · 04/10/2021 10:06

I had covid, delta varient and my first symptoms were cold symptoms. I also think a test needs to be done. They may well be sent home anyway.

Legomania · 04/10/2021 10:31

@Legomania

If they've been tested, they're good to go. Doesn't matter about the 'optics'.

My children are getting coughs on a weekly basis at the moment. They're not missing any more school than they have to.

We don't test/keep home for every sniffle as the disruption is too much. Only if they're actually unwell or have a cough that will get them sent home.
Lavendersquare · 04/10/2021 10:32

My DD9 had what I would have described as a cold, blocked nose but no temperature etc.

I took her for a PCR test just because there have been cases at her school and I was gobsmacked when her result came back positive for Covid.

Seems that many of the children especially the younger ones who test positive don't have the classic Covid symptoms.

So I'd get a PCR test to be on the safe side.