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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To phone the school on Monday to complain

39 replies

xFreckleFacex · 01/09/2017 17:24

My DC has the shingles, nothing serious quite a mild bout. Doctor confimed it. DC was feeling a bit run down due to it so I kept her off school. I phoned the school to inform them she would be off today but back to school on Monday.

DC friend has told her the teacher announced it to the class that she has the shingles, AIBU to think this is ridiculous? Its not contiguous without direct contact and where she has it there is no chance of that. Its never announced when someone has the chicken pox or nits Hmm

Theres a few girls in her class that are very bitchy and were already taking great delight in telling people to steer clear of her on Monday. My girl is quite a sensitive soul and I can see shes already full of worry for returning to school on Monday.

AIBU to want to phone the school Monday morning to complain? Ive never been in this situation before and I genuinely cannot recall a time Ive ever heard of any other teacher annoucing a childs illness to the class.

OP posts:
grannytomine · 01/09/2017 17:59

No advice about school but she has my sympathy, I had shingles and it made me feel really ill and I had pain for months afterwards. Glad her's is mild and hope is she OK.

Hulababy · 01/09/2017 17:59

From the NHS:

Staying off work or school

You only need to stay away from work or keep your child off school while:

  • the rash is oozing fluid (weeping) and can't be covered
  • you or your child are feeling unwell

If the rash is only on your body and can be covered by clothing, there's little risk of passing the infection on to others.

Montsti · 01/09/2017 18:00

IMO you're completely overreacting...every time there's a contagious illness, we are told that someone (and usuallly who) in the class has it...I have had shingles and it is horrible...also, as per a previous poster said it can be passed onto (as chicken pox) someone who hasn't had chicken pox...

Personally I think it's much more unreasonable to be sending a child with shingles into school than the teacher mentioning it...

If there is a bullying problem at the school then that's a completely different issue and I would definitely complain about that...

SparklyUnicornPoo · 01/09/2017 18:02

talk to the school rather than complain.

You've heard from your DD that her friend has said, so you don't know what was actually said or why, it could be be there was some bitching or rumours about her being off and the teachers just said something like 'x isn't well, she should be back on Monday' in a shut up gossiping kind of way and the friend has filled in the shingles detail because your DD had told her. In which case the school need to be dealing with the unkindness. Or if these girls were already being bitchy they may have said something and the teacher decided setting things straight was better than letting whatever they had said carry on.

Of course it could also be the teacher announced it, in which case yes, you should complain.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 01/09/2017 18:07

I caught chickenpox from someone with shingles. No direct contact and the rash was covered. It can be a problem if someone is a bit run down.
However, it's completely out of order for any member of staff to be announcing, shouting, discussing the nature of anyone's illness in a public part of the school or where they could be overheard. I would definitely be speaking to the school.
Hope your daughter is feeling better soon.

grasspigeons · 01/09/2017 18:08

There is a list of contagious illnesses we have to announce at school - I can't recall if shingles is on it. We tend to put a note up saying 'chicken pox in class'

The children are pretty quick to work out that since so and so was not in they probably are the person with chicken pox.
The notification is normally for pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems (ie we don't know if granny is having chemo)
If you do complain, I always think it's best to be clear about what action you want - is it a chance to vent, do you want an apology, do you want them to keep an eye on the mean girl.
Once you are clear what it is you want it's easier to speak to someone.

Original poster
xFreckleFacex · 01/09/2017 18:12

Ive since been told it was this morning when the register was being called.

I will confirm this is the case before I say anything, I just wasnt sure if this was common practice.

Thank you all.

OP posts:
Copperbeech33 · 01/09/2017 18:16

I think the problem with shingles is that the current advice is so much at odds with received wisdom.

I had a colleague in work with shingles a few years ago, and a lot of people were nervous. My pregnant colleague wouldn't use the same rooms.

Copperbeech33 · 01/09/2017 18:17

I think it is a disease that does have to be announced.

Hulababy · 01/09/2017 19:44

www.teachers.org.uk/sites/default/files2014/infectious-diseases-in-schools-guidance-appendix.pdf

Shingles is not a notifiable disease.

However, it would probably be good practise to let any vulnerable pupils or pregnant staff know.

BoneyBackJefferson · 01/09/2017 20:04

xFreckleFacex
Ive since been told it was this morning when the register was being called.

there is a possibility that the teacher didn't do this as the register may not have been updated at that time.

But you should check with the teacher and hear there version.

Original poster
xFreckleFacex · 01/09/2017 23:08

I informed the school yesterday, so todays register would have been the first one called after the teacher was informed.

I will 100% check.

OP posts:
Original poster
xFreckleFacex · 01/09/2017 23:11

Thank you @hulababy.

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 06/09/2017 17:13

What happened when you spoke to school?

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