To Take ds to School Concert With A Cold?

[humanoctopus]

My ds, 7, has a cold.

He has a bit of a temperature, drinking and eating fine. Watching tv and in reasonable form.

He is really looking forward to attending the school concert/panto this evening.

I would drive him there and back.

AIBU to bring him. Should I just not let him go? Dh thinks that IABU to take him.

Its a tough one, I see where you're dilema lies!

I've learnt in the past few weeks that what is just a cold to one person, can be much more serious to more vulnerable people (my mum is undergoing chemo, still able to go out etc, but if she catches a cold - her immune system is weakened - it can become a much more serious infection, cause her to not be fit enough for her next chemo dose - but to look at her you would never know). I guess the same could be said for the elderly or very young children/babies.

A year ago I would have said 'go for it, its just a cold', but now I'd be inclined to say don't take him, especially if he has a temperature, IYSWIM.

Sorry if that got a bit confusing! I do hope your DS is feeling better soon!

I was previously of the opinion that they should always stay at home for colds, and obviously, for more serious illnesses.

The head teacher gave be a bollicking on a number of occasions for keeping kids at home for very minor stuff, and mentioned that I was being a bit precious, etc.

So, recently, I have dosed them up with calpol and sent them to things, with no ill effect to them.

I get the point about protecting the more vulnerable in society.

I know what you mean, my DD is only 19m, but I do the same, if she just has the sniffles and is a bit snotty and fine in herself we still go to toddler groups etc, but I wouldnt take her to church as there are quite a few very frail elderly ladies who attend.

I would keep her in for a persistant temperature though.

I know I come accross as overcautious (have been told so by a friend, who brings her daughter out with ANYTHING, D&V, chickenpox, chest infections, flu) but watching what a mild cold turns into when my mum catches it is scary!

In terms of risk to the general population, church would definately be out of the equation.

This school production is for the children (put together as a work experience project by secondary pupils). Its not a grandparent event.

As I type, he is standing on his head watching tv. I am still not sure.

I wouldn't.

colds are horrible and at this time of year if your ds infects other people, it could well be their Christmas day ruined.

Lol @ standing on head watching tv!

I think you are being very conscientious and responsible to be thinking it through before taking him! I only wish the three sets of parents who knowingly bought vomitting children to church last week had been as thoughtful!

You know your DS best - might be worth monitoring temperature and seeing how he goes today, does sound like innocent sniffles IMO but can never be sure!

I wouldn't . Don't pass the cold on to others, vulnerable or not, at Christmas.

My DS has been (maybe still is, hard to be sure) more vulnerable than most, even though he is now 18 months. It is good that you are thinking about protecting the vulnerable. I probably wouldn't have thought about it had I not been in these circs myself and read up on it. I don't think you can keep toddlers with runny noses in all the time or you would never leave the house, but definitely avoiding known vulnerable groups, and staying in with anything more serious, is good.

If he has a temp, please don't chances are he still infectious.

For a cold YANBU. However, a "bit of a temperature" suggests that it might be more than just a cold IMO.