Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To receive treatment from a person with a heavy cold .

94 replies

Whatjusthappenedthere · 18/12/2018 21:53

Just that really. I’m in bed with a stinking cold. Full on runny nose , sore throat etc.
If you turned up for an appointment with me tomorrow would you be less than pleased, especially this close the Christmas ...
Or would you be more annoyed if your (non essential ) treatment was cancelled especially this close to Christmas. My work involves me being very close to people’s faces.

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 18/12/2018 21:55

I think it depends on how quickly the followup appointment was scheduled. And presumably your wear a mask and gloves when treating your patients regardless of whether you have a cold or not.

OnceUponATime000 · 18/12/2018 21:56

I personally wouldn't and would assume most people wouldn't but I presume if it's something they want done and likely be unable to find anyone else to do at this time of year they may rather chance the germs. I'd always give people the option of I was capable of doing so and hope they say no thanks.

Babymamamama · 18/12/2018 21:57

Just take a sick day if you can. You need to get better and clients don't need your germs.

UhUhUhDennis · 18/12/2018 21:57

So you're a dentist?

0teaandtoast0 · 18/12/2018 21:57

I'd be gutted, particularly this close to Christmas. Please cancel!

Philomensapie · 18/12/2018 21:58

If you have immunocompromised patients, stay at home. Your cold could make my DS1 very ill.

Stormwhale · 18/12/2018 22:01

I think you give them the option. Contact your clients and let them know that you have a cold, but are still willing to go ahead with the appointment if they are. Let them make the decision.

Original poster
Whatjusthappenedthere · 18/12/2018 22:09

I’m not a dentist. But I do wear masks and gloves regardless . For info tho’ any medical grade mask only provides about 20 seconds of effective virus barrier , once it’s moist with breath viruses can pass through. I can’t wear a full face visor as some do in my prof due to another bit of kit I have to wear. Chances of me passing my germs are probably only a little higher than normal social situations . I just think it’s going to be grim for me and I’ll get a lot of comments about turning up. I also have an assistant who will be very close to me too My other worry is imuno compromised people who should avoid contact with viruses if possible. Taking a day off sick this week will mean a lot of people being delayed until the NY. It won’t go down well. I’m torn as what to do for the best. It’s a 13 hour day to get through as well. Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatjusthappenedthere · 18/12/2018 22:16

Storm whale. I’ve tried that before. The manager put a stop to it and said I should just carry on as usual. It’s all about money (and not upsetting fee paying clients). I think I have to decide in the morning what to do one way or another. I’m pretty damned either way. I get the comment about making family members ill, I was looking after my Dad this year before he died. A virus would have made his last days even worse.

OP posts:
GhostSauce · 18/12/2018 22:18

If you're a hairdresser or beautician I think I would rather postpone my cut/treatment than have a streaming cold for Xmas.

It's a bugger, but rescheduling would be the right thing to do. Or at least phone and offer to rearrange rather than letting them turn up.

Fucking colds, they're so bad this year Sad

UhUhUhDennis · 18/12/2018 22:20

Are you likely to see people with low immune systems? If not a dentist is it cosmetic procedures you do? If so they're hardly going to be people with low immune systems. I can't really say for sure unless I know what you do and the type of clients you'll be seeing. Unless you're some kind of 1 of a kind surgeon I doubt it'll be outing to say.

JudasPrudy · 18/12/2018 22:24

It's really hard to know without knowing what you do. Are you leaving people in pain or just leaving them without fake eyelashes or Botox? If the former I would still go in. If the latter I would probably go in but contact the clients to make sure they know there's a virus doing the rounds at the clinic/whatever.

PoptartPoptart · 18/12/2018 22:26

Personally I’d be very upset if I turned up to my appointment and you had a stinking cold.
I would probably be too polite to say anything and go ahead with the treatment, but I’d be very cross that I hadn’t been given the chance to cancel beforehand.
It would probably put me off booking with you again.
I’m just being honest op.

PinkFizzz · 18/12/2018 22:34

I get really ill when I have a cold. Usually cannot get out of bed for a few days, cannot safely drive my car because my eyes water so much I genuinely cannot see, certainly can't work. If i catch a cold over Christmas I'd need to stay home away from my family and my son would suffer because we wouldn't be able to do anything/ visit people. It would be upsetting for both of us.

Unless it was extremely urgent treatment, I'd be fucked off at catching it if it was avoidable. I think you should take time off or at least tell your clients beforehand so they can make an informed choice.

Original poster
Whatjusthappenedthere · 18/12/2018 22:38

I’m a dental hygienist. If I’m honest as just as worried about having a shite day as I am about passing on my germs . It’s an intense working environment believe it or not. I literally don’t stop all day. Sometimes not even a full minute between patients. ( I have a nurse who cleans down and preps , don’t worry our cross infection is spot on) . It feels like a no win situation. My superiors won’t be happy me offering to turn away fee paying clients , I will be expected to work to the same high standard and speed that’s expected daily. My poor patients.

OP posts:
Habadabadoo · 18/12/2018 22:39

Seeing as you will be close to their faces I would cancel. If you did that to me I wouldn't rebook and I'd leave a bad review.

Thehop · 18/12/2018 22:41

Take a sick day..

JudasPrudy · 18/12/2018 22:44

Ok having read your update I would ring in sick. Feel better soon!

PoptartPoptart · 18/12/2018 22:44

**My superiors won’t be happy me offering to turn away fee paying clients

I understand your dilemma op, but would they be happy with complaints and also the chance that people may not book with you again if you made them ill?

ShadyLady53 · 18/12/2018 22:45

I have neutropenia and my mother does too. I got pneumonia from a cold at Christmas when I was 19 and looked the picture of health. I’d call in sick...you could at best ruin a few families Christmasses and at worst make an immunocompromised person very unwell.

JudgeRulesNutterButter · 18/12/2018 22:45

I would think you were BU if you passed the choice on to patients. You are the best person to know how ill you are & what your environment is like. It’s a cop out to try and make someone else guess what to do.

If I was your patient I’d want you to cancel, though I can understand pressure from superiors.

ShadyLady53 · 18/12/2018 22:45

Also, hope you feel better soon 💐

Original poster
Whatjusthappenedthere · 18/12/2018 22:46

There will be a handful of people who view this treatment as part of the beauty routine for Xmas and may well give the reception a hard time. We are a high end type practice . My Dad died 6 months ago, I didn’t work for 10 days whilst I looked after him full time. I bet there will be clients who were cancelled back then given most come 6 monthly. Other than that I have not taken any time off in years.
I’m appreciating your answers, might make me brave ameniugh to call in and cancel my list.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 18/12/2018 22:46

I'd hate it. I think you should call in sick.

PoptartPoptart · 18/12/2018 22:47

Show your ‘superiors’ this thread!

Swipe left for the next trending thread