either way? I'm either being PFB-paranoid or heedless...

[SolidGoldBrass]

A letter came home from school on Friday saying that one of the pupils has Hepatitis A and that we should be on the lookout.
Now it's a massive school and the odds of it being a child DS encounters regularly are not that great but....
DS was sick last night and has been Not Himself all day. AIBU to be thinking I will take him to the GP tomorrow? AIBU to think that he's probably just got a little bug and nothing to worry about?

better safe than sorry - I'd rather look a fool than miss something...

You don't strike me as the PFB sort so if you'd rather the peace of mind from a GP, take him

I think you should take him to the docs to be on the safe side (know nothing about hepatitis).
Hope it's nothing!

yeah i agree

Yanbu to take him to to the GP. He probably has a little bug and it's nothing to worry about but I wouldn't know Hepatitis A if it lept up and savaged my leg and I expect you are the same. Better ring first and check out where they want him to wait - no idea how it's passed?

Get him checked to put your mind at rest.

There are apparently a few tummy bugs doing the rounds at the mo which is probably what DS has .

Having just googled hepatitis a (am nosey), it doesn't sound too bad anyway. No real treatment and children generally better after a few weeks, says dr wiki. It is infectious though, so they'd probably have to be off school.

So yes I would take him to docs, but really no need to worry.

Nope! Go to gp, go straight to gp, do not pass go and do not collect £200.00.

As lewisfan says, way better to be safe than sorry!

Hope he's ok!

Just read

"Hepatitis A infection causes no clinical signs and symptoms in over 90% of infected children"

So his symptoms are probably due to a bug

Yes, the letter home from the school said it can cause no symptoms, or can cause nausea and 'feeling unwell' (very helpful).
I think I will ring the GP in the morning.

I would just take him to be honest. Your GP won't be able to tell over the phone what the diagnosis is.

likely its just a bug though...

Gaaah! I rang the GP and was told rather firmly that you only get hepatitis A from things you have eaten therefore it's not contagious. I have kept DS at home today as he was still not quite right, school were perfectly amenable,
SO it must be just a minor bug.

Well yes but kids lick each other so can transmit that way (and they don't wash their hands properly and rub foecal dirt on each other)

Keep an eye on him anyway - hopefully it's just a bug

Why on earth did the school send out a letter then?

If you're anxious, then take him to GP. V. unlikely to do a test due to the small risk of it actually being Hep A, but they should put your mind at rest.

The school would need to notify parents whose children may be at increased risk in the event they contracted Hep A. Whilst generally not a serious condition, in some rare cases it can cause significant problems. Bear in mind though, the chances of your kid catching it are very small and the chances of it then becoming serious are just as small. So very little to worry about.

He is fine now, was obviusly just a minor bug so he can go back to school tomorrow.

Glad to hear he's ok - maybe the school thought it might be something in the school dinners???