Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Friend has pulled son out of nursery due to strep A until Christmas…

52 replies

Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 20:30

This hasn’t even occurred to me and now I’m wondering if I’m being a bit slapdash.
no confirmed cases at the nursery but one at the school which it is in the grounds of.
my DS is already recovering from a horrible virus - okay now apart from a cough - and she was saying as her son is the same, she is worried if he got it on top it would be worse for him and more serious.

would you do this?

im wondering if nursery is any riskier than being at Christmas events/parks etc … as in my head I guess I was thinking parents would be notified if there was an actual case in the class and then we could make a call then…

OP posts:
Original poster
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 20:31

Should say until after Christmas

OP posts:
Winterfires · 10/12/2022 20:36

Children were getting seriously ill and ventilated for this in May and July, it just wasn’t news until more than usual children starting dying from it, every case is horrific but the media are being evil in the way they are whipping up a frenzy.

Original poster
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 20:37

Yes I really feel like they report on outbreaks of illness differently since Covid

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families General health
MassiveSalad22 · 10/12/2022 20:37

Nah, they’re never going to build up their immune system if they’re always shielded from germs are they!

MassiveSalad22 · 10/12/2022 20:38

My son had scarlet fever this week, just waiting to see if the other kids get it and if not then happy days because they’ll definitely have been in contact with it!

upfucked · 10/12/2022 20:39

And then what will she do? Strep A isn’t going to magically disappear.

Original poster
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 20:39

DS had tonsilitis recently and I figured that might help as it means he’s had exposure to the bacteria but I’m a bit confused now!

OP posts:
Winterfires · 10/12/2022 20:39

MassiveSalad22 · 10/12/2022 20:37

Nah, they’re never going to build up their immune system if they’re always shielded from germs are they!

Its been said this is precisely the reason we have an increased death rate for this particular illness, lack of mixing and squired immunity

MistyFrequencies · 10/12/2022 20:39

Both my kids (4 and 6 years) have just had it. One scarlet fever, one strep throat. Both fine after a couple of days of antibiotics. I wouldnt take kids out if school for this. Element of media scaremongering i think.

Original poster
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 20:40

Thanks I feel a bit better now. I’ve been worried about DS and his cough anyway and she was making me feel like I was sending him into a really dangerous place!

OP posts:
DrMarciaFieldstone · 10/12/2022 20:40

It depends on what she uses nursery for, IMO. If she works, it’s a bit over the top. If they just use it for socialisation and she is around to have him instead, I understand not wanting any kind of illness right before Christmas. I know they’re not likely to die, but if I had nice plans, I’d definitely think about it, after having previous Christmas plans ruined by DC being poorly.

Winterfires · 10/12/2022 20:41

Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 20:40

Thanks I feel a bit better now. I’ve been worried about DS and his cough anyway and she was making me feel like I was sending him into a really dangerous place!

When I had to send my son to school as I had to work during covid some posters made it out like I was marching him to the gallows

Liervik · 10/12/2022 20:41

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

PingPongMerrilyWithPie · 10/12/2022 20:45

I mean, spending 10 hours a day in close contact with other toddlers is going to be riskier than 15 mins in a park. But there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of kids still in nursery and schoolchildren legally have to be in school. Your friend is being extremely cautious compared with nearly everyone. You are not being slapdash.

Everyone has their own personal circumstances - how much annual leave they have, whether they have other childcare, partners, other kids at school. Your friend has a very specific combination of resources and level of anxiety. She's not the "norm" you should hold your own decisions up to compare with.

Floydthebarber · 10/12/2022 20:50

A lot of people I've heard in interviews etc have said that the last two years of children barely mixing has played apart in strep A being bad. No one wants Scarlett Fever, or Strep A, or the flu but keeping children away from viruses are not making them healthier.

Original poster
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 21:02

@Floydthebarber this was my thinking. We’ve had a truly truly atrocious test this year since DS started nursery and I know it’s because he didn’t so much as catch as cold til he was ten months old. I’ve been reminding myself in the long run this is good and that actually I’m glad he’s had some exposure as hopefully it’s helped to build his immune system a bit.

OP posts:
Mumtobabyhavoc · 10/12/2022 21:09

I completely understand. I would, however my DC had strep at 7 days old last year and could have died. I was absolutely beside myself. Baby and I were admitted together to nicu for 4 days. Several tests including a spinal tap (horrifying to hear baby scream) and iv antibiotics and antivirals; tubes and wires ... thank god baby recovered due to excellent care, but it has left me somewhat traumatized and paranoid (not to mention overlaid with covid pandemic).

My advice: listen to your gut and ignore self-talk or others saying don't over-react.

pizzaHeart · 10/12/2022 21:09

I wouldn’t do it but I agree with @DrMarciaFieldstone that your friend might have important plans for Xmas ( expensive trip/ visit to vulnerable relatives) or she might be pregnant.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 10/12/2022 21:12

When is she going to send him back? It isn't going anywhere so is she never sending him back?

In 17/18 there were 370 deaths. No one kept their children off school or nursery then.

Cherryblossoms85 · 10/12/2022 21:16

The way the media is reporting this is pretty hysterical. You'll end up with 2000 kids in A&E, one of whom is seriously ill and gets lost in the chaos...

Floydthebarber · 10/12/2022 21:18

Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 21:02

@Floydthebarber this was my thinking. We’ve had a truly truly atrocious test this year since DS started nursery and I know it’s because he didn’t so much as catch as cold til he was ten months old. I’ve been reminding myself in the long run this is good and that actually I’m glad he’s had some exposure as hopefully it’s helped to build his immune system a bit.

Yes, my two dc at school have been ill since September, as have the whole school. There has been viruses, colds, tummy bugs. They've had more illnesses over these last three months than they usually have across the whole winter.

Original poster
Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 21:28

Thanks all. Im not trying to get at my friend was just weighing up if I was under reacting.

@Mumtobabyhavoc You poor thing my heart sank reading that I’m not surprised you would react like that and 100% understand and would be the same I think. So scary and so tiny. Thank god your DC recovered.

OP posts:
carltonscroop · 10/12/2022 21:31

Strep A is everywhere

It would be better if she used her energy to do things to keep DC safer in public places. For example lobbying for provision of better ventilation

Mariposista · 10/12/2022 22:30

You’re not being slapdash. Your friend obviously either just has way too much time on her hands or a handy family member to do childcare. Most of us don’t have that luxury and in they go!

Mumtobabyhavoc · 10/12/2022 22:42

Drcoxisafox · 10/12/2022 21:28

Thanks all. Im not trying to get at my friend was just weighing up if I was under reacting.

@Mumtobabyhavoc You poor thing my heart sank reading that I’m not surprised you would react like that and 100% understand and would be the same I think. So scary and so tiny. Thank god your DC recovered.

Thank you for you kindness. That is why I'll never judge another parent's choice to "overprotect." and always support it. Do what you feel is best. 💕