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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:
toothgenie · 18/12/2018 23:15

Fellow Hygienist here. Personally I'd appreciate that you were ill and not risk passing on a cold especially this close to Christmas.
I job share and we manage to cover each other in emergencies, could you get a locum?

LadyWithLapdog · 18/12/2018 23:18

I’d cancel for tomorrow. Dose yourself up and you might be ready for the days after. A cold can last two weeks, you wouldn’t take two weeks off but if you’re still at the stage of constant sneezing and sniffing, I’d call in sick.

Thentherewascake · 18/12/2018 23:19

The difference is that a dentist fixes teeth problems, stop toothaches, which most people are quite keen on getting done asap.

An hygienist cleans - not trying to put the job down, just saying that as important as it is, it's not urgent, it doesn't relieve pain and it's not worth getting germs in your face for 30mn. Will your teeth really suffer from a delay of a few days?

bonzo77 · 18/12/2018 23:20

Tbh if it’s a choice between no loupes and light or not working, I’d not work. Or find a way to wear them. Seriously, Sudafed spray and then vaseline up your nose to stop it feeling too dry (yes, it’s that good).

popgoesthewheel · 18/12/2018 23:20

I usually give people the option of seeing me or not when I'm ill like you describe. That way anyone with immunodeficiency can make an informed decision etc

Spamfrittersforeveryone · 18/12/2018 23:21

Please take a sick day.

PandaMa · 18/12/2018 23:25

Our hygienists always work when they have a cold as patients and our boss get very grouchy about having to re appoint.

As a nurse however I would love it if you called in sick as that would mean I could deep clean and re-arrange the surgery all set for the New Year 😊

Original poster
Whatjusthappenedthere · 18/12/2018 23:28

Bonzo77 , pretty much sums up our day. Don’t worry, I’ve never attempted an RCT. Made me laugh too.
My commute is 2 hours long so I really need to decide to go in and stay all day or not. I hate making decisions. I’ve tried showing up ill once before with the intention of seeing the first few people and leaving. My boss gave me an inhaler out of the emergency drugs box ( to help control the coughing) and told to crack on. 😂
People have been very lovely with their advice tonight. Thanks.

OP posts:
user1andonly · 18/12/2018 23:29

I would much rather re-book for the new year than risk getting a rotten cold right now.

I also think it would be really grim for you to try and keep going. You are not well, and you've not had a sick day in six years, you're hardly a malingerer - just phone in.

frangipan · 18/12/2018 23:36

Fellow Dental Hygienist here too-
Cancel your day, seriously what can they do? You’re ill and that’s the end of it. Your ‘superiors’ won’t give a toss if you’re worse over Christmas because you haven’t given yourself time to get over it properly. Yes it’s a very tense, physically demanding and mentally exhausting roll at times but LOOK AFTER YOURSELF! Big hugs x

user1andonly · 18/12/2018 23:36

Just seen the bit about the commute, yikes!

I'd phone and leave a message now so whoever gets in first thing can starts ringing round patients, then set your alarm for just before you'd normally start and phone in properly then (assuming you have to actually speak to someone in person when you ring in.)

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 18/12/2018 23:38

With luck you will either feel better tomorrow (and so be over the worst and probably not that infectious) or worse (so ill enough to cancel without guilt).

I’m just getting over a rather nasty cold. It seems to be lingering but I feel better each day.

nutellalove · 18/12/2018 23:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hellbentwellwent · 18/12/2018 23:45

Call in sick!!

I’m going to the dentist on Thursday, phoned up to confirm and the receptionist was coughing and sneezing on the phone. She said, ‘sorry, everyone’s got it at the minute don’t they.’ I said no, I don’t have it and I don’t want it either. If she’s there on Thursday spreading her germs I’ll leave. I’d like to enjoy my Christmas thank you.

HIVpos · 18/12/2018 23:49

I guess you could say I’m immunocompromised, although I actually have a pretty healthy immune system due to the pills and rarely get colds. Also people in at risk groups of flu get the flu jab.

In the past month I’ve had a dental appt and a GP appt. At both they had bad colds. I only realised the dentist did after he took off his mask at the end and I could hear he was really bunged up.

So it didn’t bother me at all. However if you are dealing with elderly or more vulnerable people, perhaps give it another day.

AcrossthePond55 · 18/12/2018 23:54

Please call in sick! Primarily because you deserve to take care of yourself when you are ill Secondarily, to avoid infecting your patients.

I'd much rather get a call first thing in the morning that my appt has been cancelled because the professional is ill than show up and have a hacking, coughing obviously ill person taking care of me! Especially if that person is going to have their hands in my mouth. I don't doubt that any health professional does their best to avoid infecting someone, but the only 100% effective way to prevent transmission is to stay home!

thighofrelief · 19/12/2018 00:21

I went to see my GP and she had a very terrible utterly streaming cold/lurgy. She told me that all the other GPs in the practice had it too. I'm just ill and inconvenienced if I get the GP's cold - but what about old people or people with HIV? I wasn't pleased and would rather she had cancelled. Obviously it wasn't an urgent appointment.

LadyWithLapdog · 19/12/2018 00:38

thighofrelief - can you imagine if all the GPs had cancelled because they all had a cold? You wouldn’t get many locums at short notice. It’s a tricky situation.

thighofrelief · 19/12/2018 00:53

Lapdog I know it's a balancing act - however there's nothing more miserable than catching a cold and doubly ironic if from your GP. But what about very vulnerable patients, frail, elderly or convalescing - it could be a serious setback.

LadyWithLapdog · 19/12/2018 01:12

Oh, definitely, but I can imagine the Daily Fail running with “Sniffles shut down surgery whilst seriously ill people are turned away”. They might add a dose of foreign-hate in there for good measure.

Whyarealltheusernamestaken · 19/12/2018 01:13

Please never touch me if you are snotty

LadyWithLapdog · 19/12/2018 01:18

🤧

stinkypoo · 19/12/2018 01:36

If you are in the drippy or sneezy stage then absolutely don't work

thighofrelief · 19/12/2018 08:07

Lapdog since my GP brings her dog to work with her i expect more common sense Grin

HIVpos · 19/12/2018 11:05

The main way of passing on a cold is via coughing and sneezing over someone. My GP and dentist were obviously suffering in that they sounded bunged up, and my GP looked a little like death warmed up, bless her. However I felt absolutely fine being seen by both, and was at no time spluttered over.

Really I think it’s for each individual to judge, and if GPs think it’s ok to work, what does that tell you?