Sorry but I just need to rant about the constant bugs/viruses my DD is picking up from nursery. When does it get better?

[user2466]

DD (18M) has been in nursery since she was 9 months old. She’s had something every week. It could be something as minor as a cold or really bad tonsillitis and sickness bugs.

I try to joke it off with ‘bug of the week’ but I just feel exhausted by it all today. Her, DH and I are constantly on rotation with illnesses. Luckily ive not actually taken time off of work yet as we’ve managed to cope some how as I’m petrified of having to take leave for her being ill and usually she spends the Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday of every week recovering for her to attend nursery on Monday and Tuesday again and for the cycle to repeat.

Today she’s thrown up twice this evening and I feel awful for her, I also feel exhausted after work, coming home to finally enjoy seeing her and it’s just more illnesses. I love her to bits and I know it’s not her fault but it’s not been easy.

It's relentless isn't it. I didn't find it too bad with DD as it was covid times and everyone was a bit more hygienic and any little ones with the slightest temperature weren't allowed in. With DS the first three months he had hand foot and mouth which he gave to me, every cough and cold going and then chickenpox which put my husband in hospital. The nursery had me on speedial every week and it was always at 4pm for some reason. He's now 4 in pre school and has a rock hard immune system. I don't think he's had a day off this school year actually thinking about it.

I’m not sure if our experiences are typical however the first winter was brutal. The 3 of us were almost constantly ill.

Fast forward to winter 2 and it was totally different. We hardly had any bugs at all. I assume we had all built up immunity from year 1.

DS leaves nursery in a couple of months and I can’t remember the last time he was ill. He’s barely had a cold since that first nursery winter.

Hang on in there. It should start getting much better very soon for you all.

When l began teaching 40 years ago children always got lots of illnesses at 4 when they started school. Now they get those much earlier due to nursery, preschool etc. So by primary they are tough out and more immune to bugs. It's a total nuisance now but it won't always be like this.

@junebirthdaygirl Thank you. Everyone does say that it builds immunity up well so I guess that’s a positive. Just annoying when you’re in the thick of it. I think I’d find it easier to deal with a four year old that’s got bugs as opposed to an 18 month old as she can’t properly express herself but she’s off /doesn’t eat or drink and cries so it gets overwhelming I guess. But at least it’ll be over and done with.

@Amy73838 I’m dreading thinking about winter this year. I hope she doesn’t get as ill this year - similar to your DC. I would’ve thought that it would taper off for now as it’s getting warmer - kind of feel dishearten that it’s not been like that.

@Chocolateorange22 oh no. To be fair DD’s nursery only call when she has a temp and that’ll be around 3-4pm too. I think what’s hard with this age is that they do still put things in their mouth (more than any other age group of children) therefore the probability of them picking a virus up is even higher compared to a year 1 child for instance who is less likely to put things in their mouth and wash their hands more. When DD gave me a horrible case of the flu it put me in hospital. They suspected sepsis/meningitis. It was awful! Last week I had a horrible sore throat where it felt like I had razor blades in my throat and awful fatigue

My daughter missed 2.5 of her 4 days the first week she was to attend (after her settling in). The nursery said her bowl movements smelt sweet. Whatever that was supposed to mean. She was completely fine but they said 48 hour exclusion applies.

It sucks OP but it does get better.

My son was the same, always getting sent home but he's 4 now and hasn't missed a day in about a year.

The latest symptoms of Covid are razor blades in the throat and desperate fatigue..could you have had it?

Sadly it’s just one of those things. My sister’s eldest didn’t go to any childcare at all, so went through the endless-bug stage during her first year at school - sister swears she spent half that first year at home with one bug after the other.

DD threw up a three times on Wednesday and once yesterday evening and once tonight. It’s annoying because I can’t work out if it’s a bug or an allergy of some sort? She’s not eaten anything new though so not sure.

Do sickness bugs tend to last longer than 48 hours?