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Original poster

Would you send your child to school with a cough?

29 replies

lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 06:16

DS was given piriton from his medicine bag yesterday because he was coughing quite frequently and they were worried it was an allergy

Anyway, he was absolutely fine when he got home. Running about as usual - but coughing here and there every so often

This morning he won't stop coughing! He's still his smiley, hyper self but the sound is infuriating. It's such a sharp cough!

He doesn't seem bothered though

I can still send him in can't I? Sorry he's reception age and I'm new to all this Blush

OP posts:
Newuser82 · 14/10/2022 06:18

Yes, as long as he is happy enough send him in.

PortiasBiscuit · 14/10/2022 06:20

I wouldn’t if the cough is very persistent, he would just disrupt learning.
I also wouldn’t send him if it was Covid, have you tested him?

ScarlettDarling · 14/10/2022 06:21

I teach in Reception and have had many of my class sent in with coughs over the last few weeks. Our guidance to parents is if they aren’t running a temp and they’re feeling well, send them in. Why don’t you ring your school, see what they say.

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Sirzy · 14/10/2022 06:22

The only reason I wouldn’t was if he wouldn’t be able to focus because of it.

voxnihili · 14/10/2022 06:29

My DD is reception and often has a cough. I warned her new school before she started that she gets frequent coughs but is usually fine in herself with them. She had the same all through nursery and they were luckily brilliant about it. It was very stressful though once Covid started but as long as she had a negative test they were happy with her being in. Advice is different now I believe with testing and I would only test her if she was unwell / had a temperature etc.

MinnieMountain · 14/10/2022 06:34

Mine has been in with a cough.

We had a letter from the LA yesterday saying that so long as they don’t have a temperature and are well, to send them in. And I think it’s 3 days from a positive covid test if do test.

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 14/10/2022 06:41

A cough is fine as long as it's not covid. You could send him in with a full blown cold if you wanted

DodgyLeftLeg · 14/10/2022 06:53

This is an excerpt of a letter received via school from the Director of Education and Director of Public Health in my county yesterday.

Children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or mild cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their school or setting. All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues.

If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should stay at home and where possible avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test. In children, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower after 3 days if they feel well and do not have a high temperature.

If he is otherwise well he can and should go in.

Ifyoudreamofsanddunes · 14/10/2022 06:58

I'd keep him off, a persistent cough will still make you feel lousy, especially if you're also having to learn and follow rules in a classroom. My son had a cough at the start of the week, he seemed cheery but it was so persistent and he was shattered by lunchtime so he had the day off. Feeling much better now

Original poster
lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 07:24

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 14/10/2022 06:41

A cough is fine as long as it's not covid. You could send him in with a full blown cold if you wanted

I thought you could send in with Covid, and were encouraged to now?

OP posts:
minipie · 14/10/2022 07:26

Yes I would send him in if he feels well. Often coughs are worse first thing due to clearing a build up of mucus from overnight.

Just remind him to cover his mouth, cough away from others and wash his hands a lot.

golddustwomen · 14/10/2022 07:31

My ds had a cold and cough a couple of weeks ago, tested negative and totally fine otherwise (playing, reading, being his usual bat shit self) so he went in.

inappropriateraspberry · 14/10/2022 07:38

If he's happy and doesn't have a temp, send him in. There are loads of coughs, colds and bugs going around.
He's probably already passed it on to his friends, so I wouldn't worry about him being contagious!
You don't have to test for Covid, there's no point, it's just treated as another cold/flu strain.

Whiskers4 · 14/10/2022 07:46

Bearing in mind its Friday, I'd keep him off today You can access how he is. If it's anything contagious you'll know over the weekend and won't have spread it to rest of class, who might be about to go away/spend time with grandparents at half term.

JustLyra · 14/10/2022 07:56

lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 07:24

I thought you could send in with Covid, and were encouraged to now?

Show quote history

If they have covid you’re still supposed to keep them at home for at least 3 days.

Original poster
lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 08:22

they have covid you’re still supposed to keep them at home for at least 3 days.

Not according the government website?

OP posts:
Original poster
lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 08:22

Called school, receptionist giggled at me and said yes of course he can come with just a cough Blush

Feel a bit silly now

OP posts:
JustLyra · 14/10/2022 08:27

lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 08:22

they have covid you’re still supposed to keep them at home for at least 3 days.

Not according the government website?

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-sets-out-how-to-live-safely-with-covid-19

There is some evidence that children have a shorter duration of illness compared to adults. Children and young people who are asymptomatic, choose to take a COVID-19 test and receive a positive test result are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day of the test.

JustLyra · 14/10/2022 08:28

The government website at multiple points says 3 days for a positive test.

Not sure why you posted really as you’ve clearly no intention of testing or keeping him off school.

Original poster
lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 08:29

JustLyra · 14/10/2022 08:28

The government website at multiple points says 3 days for a positive test.

Not sure why you posted really as you’ve clearly no intention of testing or keeping him off school.

Yes and the official advice is not to test just for a cough?

OP posts:
Original poster
lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 08:30

@JustLyra yes but I thought the advice was not to even test anymore, even for a cough etc?

OP posts:
Topseyt123 · 14/10/2022 08:40

I doubt many people are testing anymore anyway. If it is just a cough with no temperature or other signs of illness then I would give him his piriton and send him in.

voxnihili · 14/10/2022 09:28

The gov.uk site states that testing children is no longer recommended, and only if advised by a medical professional.

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 14/10/2022 13:51

lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 07:24

I thought you could send in with Covid, and were encouraged to now?

Show quote history

Obviously that's a ridiculous thing to do, why risk killing someone

Lucky91 · 19/10/2022 16:27

Yes I would send mine in with a cough. I would keep off if they had a temp or were unwell with it. I work in a school and there is so many children with coughs at the moment. At my school children are allowed to come in with covid but if they have a temp or seem really unwell it's recommended they should stay off until they feel better.

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