How long to keep DD off with chest infection?

[Peedoffo]

DD aged 9 is normally very well has 100 percent attendance. She has had terrible pleurisy pain. She has increasing breathlessness when doing things such as just climbing up the stairs or cold air. Kept her off school on Thursday took her doctors who said it was just viral. After another episode of breathlessness, I rang 111 who recommended take her to A&E. She's had a chest x-ray and has been prescribed antibiotics for 7 days 3x a day. I'm hesitant her having 5 days off school on top of the 2 she's had. How many days before it's an attendance trigger ? If she starts feeling better in a few days will the school give her the antibiotic at lunch time?

She loves going to school but I'm worried they will have her outside in the cold or doing PE.

With strep doing the rounds too I'd personally have her off till she is fully better.

The school should give her the medicine, but I really wouldn't rush her back to school.
Schools at the moment are all struggling with attendance because there is so much going around. I know my children's school are pretty much just writing this term off attendance wise as almost every child has had time off for illness.

Just keep her off.

The whole 100% attendance awards is ridiculous. Your aiming for children to attend all the time, if they are well. But they and you shouldn’t be punished for being ill.

Thank you it's very rare she's poorly so it must be a horrible bug poor thing. I get worried as she's so stoic as well so if school says to do PE or go out in the cold she will just struggle on. I will definitely be keeping her off the last thing she needs is strep on top. I think she just needs to rest to get rid of the thing but DD is adamant she wants to see her friends.

I would wait a couple of days after breathlessness has gone away. I’ve sent my 2 DC back too early, only to have them back at home for a few more days.

This! Then she may be ill over Christmas. I'd make sure she's fighting fit, can enjoy the last few days at school and be ready for the school holiday.
Will she miss out on anything - school play, party etc? I doubt there'll be much work done these last 2 weeks.

Attendance triggers are for regular or long term unauthorised absences. You have antibiotics if they need evidence. I'd keep her off a few more days, normally after 3 the antibiotics will have made her feel much better. Then, send an email to school asking for adjustments to be made on her return ie no going outside in the cold, missing PE etc and double check that they will administer the medication, most will. Having it in writing means you have something to fall back on if they don't follow it up.

I had a chest infection like this a few years ago (pre covid) and even with antibiotics it took me a long time to feel better. I would keep her off for as long as she needs/feels tired etc. If you push her to go back as soon as she starts to improve it may actually slow her recovery down.

I bet there are things in the last week of term she won't want to miss, so I'd be very tempted to let her have this week at least to just rest.

Having a bit of time off school at this age won't matter if her attendance is normally good.

Keep her off OP. You will be able to tell when she’s so improved that she can slowly start going back. If she’s breathless at home, even a short walk to school will wear her out. Imagine when she sees her friends and resumes their normal play- she might go back to square one and that’s the last thing you need.

I agree I don't want her poorly over Christmas. DD has dyslexia and she's been doing amazingly well this year she has caught up with the rest of the class. She's worried she's going to fall behind but I will reassure her she won't.

I deal with attendance at a primary school. We'd say she should stay off until she's well enough to return. If the antibiotics are three times a day and she's picked up at the end of the normal school day (no clubs) we'd say to give at home before school, straight after school and before bed so no need for medication in school. However we would do it if you asked.

She'd probably trigger a first level attendance letter if she's off for a good few days but loads of our school are getting those, attendance has been shocking, particularly the last few weeks! But the letter on its own doesn't matter, it's a FYI and 'can we do anything to help' letter.

The bugs are really nasty right now, hope your DD rallies soon

At our school we can only give antibiotics if they are prescribed for 4 times a day or more. We'd otherwise say it would need to either be around the school day or a parent/carer could come and administer at lunch. Most children should be well enough to return before the end of the antibiotic course I'd have thought. We might also ask for medical evidence after a straight week of absence (the fact that your DD has antibiotics is evidence) but don't feel like you need send her if she's not well, she'll only get sent home again. It's a hard one to judge sometimes!

I think there are two types of chest infection bronchitis (viral) and pneumonia (bacteria). I've had pneumonia twice, wiped me out for two weeks each time (I physically struggled to have the occasional shower) and I wasn't right for about four weeks after that. On the other hand, you get some people who have chest infections and are somehow able to get themselves into work.

I'd be guided by your DD, if she's struggling to breath and has chest pain, no way go into school. If she's tired and run down, give her a few days anyway. If it's more than that and she says she really can't get herself off the settee all day, then trust that she's not right and give her the time off.

My DD is also 9 and has returned to school today after a full week off with a bad viral chest infection which also required hospital treatment (including a very scary blue-light trip to A&E when her sats dropped to 85). DH and I are teachers and absolutely did not hesitate to keep her off. She has returned today with inhalers and she won't be doing PE for the next few days, especially with the very cold weather forecast.

It doesn't matter if it triggers an attendance letter. The absence is absolutely justified - it is hardly as if you have been taking her Christmas shopping. Sending her back too soon will only prolong her recovery and increase the likelihood that she will need more time off.

I deal with attendance at a primary school. We'd say she should stay off until she's well enough to return. If the antibiotics are three times a day and she's picked up at the end of the normal school day (no clubs) we'd say to give at home before school, straight after school and before bed so no need for medication in school. However we would do it if you asked
Surely that would have a very short window for 2 of the antibiotics doses?

I'm glad we can send in antibiotics as I'd not be happy having 2/3 of the doses given within 4 hours.

OP I'd keep her off until she's better. If her attendance drops below a threshold you might get an auto-generated letter, but one case of illness that your child then recovers from wouldn't be a concern to a school.
We're more bothered about persistent absenteeism and children with lots of one off off days.

Both bronchitis and pneumonia can be caused by either a virus or a bacterial infection. The difference is in the parts of the lung affected. Bronchitis affects the bronchial tubes and impedes air reaching your lungs. Pneumonia affects the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs and causes them to be inflamed or filled with fluid.

@LolaSmiles - 8am, 3pm, 8/8.30pm (or even later if they sleep later) would be fine for dosages. All with 5-7hr gaps

Definitely don't take chances with wee ones who have a chest infection. Our youngest is 5yo but was born very premature. He is off school today, awaiting a call back from GP for a prescription for inhaler medication. He would struggle at school today because of the cold damp weather. My gut instinct is to have him assessed. He was hospitalised last November with a respiratory infection, needed oxygen and steroid treatment to stabilise him. Very scary time.

Hope your DD recovers quickly OP. Keep her off school as long as she needs to be off.

Until she’s fully recovered.