To send my children to school anyway

[AngryAF]

My dd keeps getting tonsillitis and of course two days before school starts it's back again! Shes had it 5 times already since January, but not enough times to have them out yet. Older DC was the same, they had to have their tonsils and adenoids out and gromits in their ears - so not my first rodeo.

My children are at two schools (high school and primary) and both schools have said that if anyone in the household has a temperature not to send them into school for two weeks, and the ill person one week.

However, we know this is recurrent tonsillitis and not covid, but she has a temp and we have an appointment for tomorrow for antibiotics.

So I aibu to send my children to school anyway? One is has additional needs and can't afford to miss the beginning of school as it's their first week of high school/ yr 7.

DD with tonsillitis is starting reception too, so will miss transition 😣

Can you get her a COVID test? That should be enough for the school.

You can only really know if you get a test. Please do not send them to school

As uncomfortable as it might be, can you not get a test then when school ask, you can prove its not covid. We had to do this with my eldest ds. He had a slight cough on Saturday, (knew it was related to the child all the kids in the school have after starting back) and we booked a test for Saturday afternoon, results Sunday morning and back to school Monday.

How can you tell it’s not tonsillitis AND coronavirus if she has a fever?

You don't know, you think.

You are being really unreasonable not getting a test, I'm afraid.

I would get her tested just in case

Will she even be up to going in? I was very poorly when I had (reoccurring) tonsillitis. I had mine out, eventually, at 7. I hope she can get hers out soon!

As per PHE guidance, you need to have your child with a fever swabbed. If you get a negative result, then your family no longer needs to isolate

Covid can cause tonsillitis. You need to get a swab. I’m despairing that people are still asking these sorts of questions!

If you know its tonsillitis its fine get your anti bs and send them to school if well enough. I can promise you in three weeks they will be loaded with cold or vomitting! We have been back 3 weeks and have an ill household but still fit enough for school, colds with a slight cough (not persistent). No test required.

The testing centres have been overwhelmed with people being asked to go to belfast, lake district etc for tests (am in scotland)

We know it isn't covid as none of us have left the house in three weeks apart from to a field that is empty.

Even if covid didn’t exist you shouldn’t be sending a child with a high temperature to school!

@welshweasel

Covid can cause tonsillitis. You need to get a swab. I’m despairing that people are still asking these sorts of questions!

Tonsillitis is not one of the 3 main symptoms which require a test. Persistent cough, a temperature that doesnt go away, and loss of smell or taste.

You can order the tests online and do them at home. No need to go anywhere to get tested.

I’ve had tonsillitis 5 Times since lockdown... it’s such a pain. If my tonsils are covered in white pus then I haven’t isolated. One time I had the sore throat and no obvious white dots so I took the test and came back negative 20 hours later so may be worth doing a test because they come back very quickly

As people said, you cannot know. You may think with a high probability, but that is not the same.

You risk taking down an entire bubble or, at worst, infecting a vulnerable teacher (or pupil).

It is a new works and you cannot be cavalier about the risk. In addition, surely your daughter cannot meaningfully work if she has tonsillitis (which is also infectious) and a fever?!

Covid can cause tonsillitis.

Is this true? Because I think I had covid end of feb and now had tonsillitis loads and before Then I’ve never had it before

Angry, if you ‘know’ it is not Covid as your have not been out in 3 weeks’, how did she catch tonsillitis?

Doesn't she feel crappy though ? Have you got antibiotics?

Tonsillitis is not one of the symptoms but the op said the child had a temperature.

I think you will need the test to prove to the school unfortunately. If she coughs, she will be out of that classroom at high speed. She will be told to get a test or not to come back for 2 weeks. It's better to just have you and her covered so nobody panics.

Spoken to 111, they've given antibiotics. They've said typically bacterial tonsillitis is not contagious after 24 hours of antibiotics.
Looking at her medical background they've said they don't think she needs a covid test but have said no harm in getting one, so calling 119 in a min. And I cancelled appointment for tomorrow with GP.

@larrygrylls there are different types of tonsillitis and not all are from catching infection from elsewhere. Some types are developed by bacteria within your own body and your reaction to those bacteria. It can be a genetic issue, linked to how the body reacts - which it Most likely is looking at the medical history of my father's side of the family and my own. Most wouldn't get tonsillitis, but in some cases people do.

Sending a child to start a new school while feeling ill with tonsillitis isn’t wise anyway!

Keep them off until you have seen the GP and take advice from there

OP has clearly said the child has a fever - the guidelines are very clear! It’s doesn’t have to be a fever that doesn’t go away, just a fever (in fact it doesn’t have to be a documented fever if they feel hot to touch!). I don’t make the rules but they are hardly difficult to follow.

Covid can cause tonsillitis yes. And reoccurring sore throats are common post-covid.

Don't you have to have a test if you have a temperature?