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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Joining the "My asthmatic kid coughed at school and now I have to try to get a test" club

56 replies

YreneTowers · 17/09/2020 16:15

My son got sent home from school after apparently coughing "a lot", and now can't go back until he's had a negative test.

He's asthmatic - he does cough, especially in hot weather when he's been doing PE. This is not a new thing.

Now he's home, he hasn't coughed once!

School doesn't care. They won't allow him back without a negative COVID test result, and the rest of us are supposed to be self-isolating, too.

I can't get one - obviously, and I'm not convinced he needs one.

AIBU to think the school is being over-cautious?

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 17/09/2020 16:19

He does not meet the criteria for a COVID test.

It would appear to be an illegal exclusion.

Seriouslymole · 17/09/2020 16:22

It is SO frustrating. DD's friend got sent home from school yesterday with a cold. Her mum, quite rightly, sent her right back in again this morning. The school is being ludicrous especially if they know your DS is asthmatic.

I would go back and say that you can't get a test because he doesn't fit the criteria for a test (i.e. not one single symptom) and then if they don't back down, go to the governors. I'm sorry for you, this is an absolute nonsense.

Thurmanmurman · 17/09/2020 16:28

How annoying. Also I wonder how long it's going to take for kids to realise if they fake a cough they get time off schoolSad

ittakes2 · 17/09/2020 16:31

If they have witnessed a child coughing a lot - they are just following their protocol. They don’t have the right to guess its asthma - asthmatics can get covid too.
Colds might not be covid but it doesn’t make sense to pass colds on to others at the moment, as every time a child gets a cough and cold either the parent or the school needs to decide if they need a test.

Spidey66 · 17/09/2020 16:33

It must be so annoying, as his cough is not unusual for him.

I have acid reflex which without medication causes a cough st night time. It's ok atm as I'm on treatment, but if j wasn't, no way would I request a covid test. There are other people with coughs, e.g. smokers, some medications etc, in the same boat.

The remit for covid diagnosis or testing is new persistent cough, which your son clearly does not have.

lanthanum · 17/09/2020 16:38

My daughter has been coughing on and off since before Christmas. I've emailed the school to say this, and that her inhaler will usually deal with it. I asked whether they have a list of pupils with "known coughs" they could put her on. I've had no reply, but hopefully they have made a record somewhere...

WorksTheDinerAllDay · 17/09/2020 16:40

I feel your pain. Already spent two days in isolation with my DS when his asthma flaired up. Thankfully we managed to get a test by refreshing the website every five minutes. But I'm dreading the phone ringing each day now.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/09/2020 16:43

Thankfully dd has not had an asthma attack yet. She coughs.

Brighterthansunflowers · 17/09/2020 16:43

YANBU

It’s not a new cough so isn’t cause for concern

I’m dreading going back to the office eventually as I also have an asthma cough or possibly reflux although I have no heartburn, I’m going to try gaviscon and see if it makes a difference

allfalldown47 · 17/09/2020 16:46

My ds is asthmatic, the minute we hit autumn he starts to cough more. His school have sensibly agreed to ignore his 'normal' cough and unless it changes significantly or he has a temperature, they are happy for him to be in school.

Fantabulous1 · 17/09/2020 16:49

Could you contact your GP and have them write a letter explaining it is natural for him to cough with asthma and safe to be in school?

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 17/09/2020 17:01

I have chronic sinus problems which leads to a night-time cough, and sometimes during the day too. I'm a lecturer, mainly teaching remotely now, but when I did see new first year students face to face last week I made a point of saying that if I cough it is due to an existing condition, or also because I get hoarse with talking so much in class.

The key thing is a new cough.

BillywilliamV · 17/09/2020 17:02

Does anyone know what the penalty would be for forging a negative test result?
Not suggesting anyone do such a thing, just curious!

TempestHayes · 17/09/2020 17:04

Yes, that's ridiculous. They can't send home every damn coughing kid.

Thenneverendingstorohree · 17/09/2020 17:06

I do think there should be some sort of exemption for asthmatic children. Perhaps a letter from their consultant saying they only need to get a test and be isolated if they are otherwise showing signs of illness.
Otherwise they will be off school virtually continuously and I don’t think that’s proportionate.

Original poster
YreneTowers · 17/09/2020 17:07

Phone the Drs surgery. The receptionist was not very sympathetic and said it's exactly the same for them - they need to get a test if they have a cough, so I should just keep refreshing the page like everyone else has to...

The head of the school where I work suggested before I left that I should ask the school for a home test kit as they may have a few available, so I've done that. She also said that if we sent home every child who coughed in class, we wouldn't have any pupils to teach!

My son has only just started at this school in September, so I appreciate that they don't know him and what level of coughing is normal for him. Doesn't stop it being frustrating though.

OP posts:
RingORingORoses · 17/09/2020 17:11

the ridiculousness of this leaves me wondering what the point of opening the schools actually was!!

more and more kids will be of intermittently. how can lessons be of any use when half the class is missing

Soubriquet · 17/09/2020 17:11

Dd coughs with her asthma too

Luckily, hers is mild and usually only triggered after being in long contact with multiple cats or after she’s had a cold

I hope they do take this in to consideration or she will be off school for a long time in the winter

Pieceofpurplesky · 17/09/2020 17:18

Thing is schools are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Happyheartlovelife · 17/09/2020 17:23

Eurgh

I have a chest infection. Spoke with the dr who refused to see me. Refused me antibiotics. Even though an infection could kill me

Told me to get a Covid test. To isolate. From my family. But then said my family need to also isolate for 7 days

I'm still stuck at home. Still unwell. Will probably end up in hospital

I don't even have the signs. (Apart from the temp) which is from the infection!

I swear this is all going to go tits up.

WutheredOut · 17/09/2020 17:26

Mine has a cold and asthma - I sent him to school with his inhaler and simply said to the teacher he has a bit of a sniff and it’s affecting his asthma. Here’s his inhaler. I’ve told him not to run around today.

He bounced out of school at home time and loudly announced I’m all better now Mummy!!!

michelle1504 · 17/09/2020 17:27

For people saying he doesn't meet the criteria - what about the cough? Yes, it isn't a new cough however if he has been off school for months and now he is newly back and is now presenting with this cough then surely to staff, it is a new cough? Asthmatics can get covid also and the staff do have a duty of care to protect themselves, their families, other pupils etc.

Soubriquet · 17/09/2020 17:29

@michelle1504

For people saying he doesn't meet the criteria - what about the cough? Yes, it isn't a new cough however if he has been off school for months and now he is newly back and is now presenting with this cough then surely to staff, it is a new cough? Asthmatics can get covid also and the staff do have a duty of care to protect themselves, their families, other pupils etc.
Yes they can but as it’s been said, many asthmatic children cough when their asthma plays up

It isn’t Covid, it’s them needing their inhaler.

If an asthmatic child is sent home with a cough everytime they need their inhaler, then there is no point in even sending some kids to school

chomalungma · 17/09/2020 17:33

Just checking in because this is probably inevitable when winter comes..

Happytobeme123 · 17/09/2020 17:41

I'm a teacher with asthma.
Based on that, I'd never be at school until this is over. I have a cough every morning.
My cough with covid was very different to my asthma cough.