Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To stop DH taking DS swimming today

28 replies

inconceivableme · 29/12/2014 17:07

DH has had a cold for about 3 weeks which turned to flu over Christmas resulting in a temperature of 40c and teeth chattering uncontrollably, vomiting and two days (26th and 27th) spent entirely in bed. He finally went to the GP today and has been given antibiotics. DS (2) was
also v unwell with as persistent mucous cough and cold up until Christmas and only finished antibiotics himself about 10 days ago but is well again now.
DH has cabin fever and has been resting all day while I took DS to see relatives. We got in half an hour ago and DH announced he wants us all to go swimming as DS hasn't been for weeks and really likes it. I said I didn't think it's a good idea with DH having only started antibiotics today and still not feeling completely better and with it being so cold. I know colds are viruses not caused by swimming, but still! AIBU to say wait a few more days before going swimming?!

OP posts:
amy83firsttimer · 29/12/2014 17:09

I'd have said that too. Suggest another activity?

MyballsareSandy · 29/12/2014 17:09

Not unreasonable at all, he's nuts and should be resting in the warm.

Hakluyt · 29/12/2014 17:10

I think if they feel up to it and don't go for too long they'll be fine. But I am famously 'oh just power through it"

Shakey1500 · 29/12/2014 17:10

I probably wouldn't go swimming. A walk to blow the cobwebs away would be better perhaps? Sorry they've been ill, our DS7 was rotten with flu over Christmas as well and whilst better, has a lingering cough. Horrible to see them ill over what should be such an exciting time!

catsofa · 29/12/2014 17:14

I'm pregnant and there are only a few types of exercise I'm meant to do. Swimming is one of them. My immune system is suppressed a bit due to pregnancy, and I've just had a really nasty cold right over xmas. Please don't let him go swimming and very possibly expose me to a nasty bug!

JavelinArse · 29/12/2014 17:14

I think he's mad for wanting to go but if he wants to and DS is up for it then I don't see why they shouldn't.

redskybynight · 29/12/2014 17:15

Swimming with a 2 year old surely doesn't involve much actual swimming though? More just splashing about in shallow water? If DH feels up to it, I think you should go- it's nice that he's thought of a family activity.

Stillyummy · 29/12/2014 17:16

Men! That is all I have to say.

JavelinArse · 29/12/2014 17:21

Yeah, bloody men, wanting to take their kids out and spend time having fun with them!! Hmm

dancingwithmyselfandthecat · 29/12/2014 17:24

COLDS DON'T TURN TO FLU They are different viruses for fucks sake.

(Disclaimer - I have been in bed with actual flu for over a fortnight. Mostly unable to lift my head. The confusion between the two is fucking me right off).

CMOTDibbler · 29/12/2014 17:26

Actually, I think swimming would be good. I find the humidity really helps a cough.

rosy71 · 29/12/2014 17:41

I agree- colds definitely don't turn into flu.

I wouldn't go swimming. If dh has been in the house all day, he probably isn't as well as he thinks he is. A short walk would be better.

ProudAS · 29/12/2014 17:47

He's a grown man so you can't stop him but suggest something shorter abd less strenuous.

Cherriesandapples · 29/12/2014 17:53

I think it was unreasonable to take antibiotics for a cold. Temperatures can be lowered with fans and paracetamol. I wish people would realise that if people keep taking antibiotics for colds then in a few years time antibiotics will not be effective as people will be resistant towards them. I don't get the not swimming thing either.

WooWooOwl · 29/12/2014 17:57

I'd let a grown man make his own choice about whether he was well enough to splash around in a warm baby pool or not.

Trazzletoes · 29/12/2014 18:01

Has he vomited in the past 48 hours?

BoomBoomsCousin · 29/12/2014 18:31

I think YABU. On what grounds are you wanting to "stop" him? It sounds like your DS should be fine swimming, and your DH's health is his own responsibility (why is he on antibiotics?). The only thing that would make me think YANBU would be if he had form for wearing himself out while ill doing things he likes and then leaving all the drudge work to you because he's then too exhausted.

306235388 · 29/12/2014 18:42

In our local pool it says you should not go swimming if you've had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 14 days.

Incidentally, it sounds more like the cold turned into a bacterial chest infection. Flu comes on VVV suddenly.

DancingDinosaur · 29/12/2014 18:45

He's a grown man. Its down to him.

Original poster
inconceivableme · 29/12/2014 19:06

They went for a walk in the end.

I'm glad not everyone thinks IABU.

Boomboom - he struggled on at work with a nasty cold and sinusitis for two weeks prior to Christmas because he felt he had to and then struggled through Christmas Day. I want him to recover properly from whatever he's had and start the New Year healthy. He's usually a v involved Dad and so not unusual that he wants to do stuff with his son (all Dads should as far as I'm concerned! Grin ) but yes, having him out of action has had an impact on me and I've not had the most restful Christmas as a result.

AFAIK colds don't cause a fever of 40 degrees under the arm and vomiting, though I could be wrong as clearly I don't know as much as some on here.Grin

He's not vomited since the early hours of 27th but you're right to point out the D&V risks re: swimming.

Yes, he's a grown man but he's taking OUR child swimming so I think I have a right to input.

Someone queried why he's taking antibiotics. It's because the GP gave them to him, along with Beconase nasal spray. I'm aware of the issue re antibiotic resistance but I tend to defer to medical professionals on whether they're needed and as we have a family member with a permanently suppressed immune system, having them is often
necessary.

OP posts:
Original poster
inconceivableme · 29/12/2014 19:09

dancing - I'm sorry you've been unwell and it's made you shouty. As I said above, even if not flu, what he's had goes beyond a simple cold to be treated with lemsip / paracetamol, though I could be wrong.

Hope you feel better soon.

OP posts:
WeeFreeKings · 29/12/2014 19:16

Whilst colds don't turn into flu having a cold can make your immune system more prone to flu if exposed to it. My DD & I had 2 separate colds over a period of 6 weeks one continously running into the other between us. The first could have been a cold and then (apart from the fact I've had a flu jab) the second theoretically could have been flu thus describing the OP's DH's situation.

I know mine wasn't flu because I've had it & remember the fever, aching, shivering, sweating but her DH's symptoms do suggest it.

makeminea6x · 29/12/2014 19:20

It doesn't really matter but the flu is also a virus so not treated by antibiotics. Sounds like the GP found evidence of a secondary bacterial infection (maybe sinusitis) and that's what caused the fever and required antibiotics.
Cold or flu, antibiotics will be no good to you!

Rainbunny · 29/12/2014 19:23

Well it has been shown that exercise helps us fight viruses like colds more quickly. I am confused that your DS was prescribed antibiotics though? They can't help fight viruses including colds or flu I would think.

Original poster
inconceivableme · 29/12/2014 19:25

Thanks for that makemine - that makes sense, as does WeeFree's points about being more susceptible to things when you've been under the weather for a bit directly beforehand.

Anyone know any good immune system boosters that actually work? Or is that wishful thinking? DH, DS and I all generally healthy - good diet, reasonable exercise etc, though
sleep's an ongoing issue as DS isn't the best at that!
DH gets frequent cold sores though (thankfully I seem to be immune!) and reasonably frequent headaches but I tend to assume stress, sleep depravation and sometimes slight dehydration cause the headaches.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread