AIBU to send son to school?

[Blizy]

My 7 year old son has developed hand foot and mouth over the weekend, he is well in himself and I'm aware that there's no exclusion period for h f &m, I am/was planning on sending him to school as usual tomorrow but my sister is aghast at the idea of it. AIBU?

But it can be infectious for weeks and weeks, that's the whole point.

But it’s most infectious for the first five days which will be the days the child actually has the blisters.

All online advice as per my previous post makes clear that the first 7-10 days and /or when blistering remains is when a patient is at their most contagious.
That aside if a child is contagious at any point they should not be in school .

The same way as they do with every other illness, probably

My son keeps getting the same reoccurring contagious illness but the school are too bothered about his attendance so say to send him in now.

But that's just your own made up rule that others don't have to comply with. The NHS and school policies state differently

My son's nursery wouldn't allow him in with it.

Do you feel OK about him passing it on to other children and potentially causing issues to other parents?

If so, go ahead. I don't think it's particularly considerate.

I had a missed miscarriage caused by HFM. I’m always surprised by how blasé schools policies are l, they are much firmer about it NZ and treat it with public health officials getting involved when there is too larger out break.

I’m none the wiser. Perhaps a little more explanation is in order!

But that's just your own made up rule that others don't have to comply with. The NHS and school policies state differently

The NHS policy states that you do not have to keep your child off with it. I’d imagine different schools have different policies.I’m wondering if teachers actually want blistery kids in their classrooms. Especially in KS1 when they’re sharing equipment and forever touching each other.

School policies in the UK are based on advice from the NHS. Some illnesses and viruses require an exclusion period and others don't. If the NHS says there must be an exclusion period then this must be followed. There is some limited leeway regarding other illness and viruses where schools can set their own rules, often based on the make up of their school or specific pupils who attend, but in the whole all the rules regarding who can/can't attend school when 'ill' come from the NHS/department for Health.

No way would I keep a well child off for a week with HFM. If school insisted on going against PH policies I'd be complaining to the governers and sending child in anyway.

(exception if there was a specific reason e.g. v immunocompromised child in class)

Obviously am uncommon situation but it's believed (by doctors) that HFM was what triggered Type 1 Diabetes in our son when he had it. I understand the childcare/work situation but please don't send him in when he's contagious if you can avoid it. Could you take annual leave instead?

He could be contagious for up to 3 months, so no, I doubt she can take that much annual leave!

He could be contagious for up to 3 months, so no, I doubt she can take that much annual leave!

Only could be! Likely to be for 5 days until the blisters go. I think OP’s problem is that 5 days might be trick for her to take off.

@liveforsummer
But that's just your own made up rule that others don't have to comply with. The NHS and school policies state differently

I don't need rules, it's basic common sense, courtesy & manners to not want other children and staff exposed to this isn't it? This thread has provided examples of horrendous consequences this could cause. Is it ideal or convenient? No.
Is it wise? Yes

That's good, hopefully you won't catch it then fingers crossed. I hope your little boy is feeling ok today and is able to go back to school.

I fear I may be hunted down with pitch forks but I sent him to school. I called the school as soon as the phone lines opened and was told if he's well to send him in as usual.

You did what you were asked and followed the rules.
Exactly what I would have done.

I would have done the same.

so literally hundreds of students and staff negatively impacted by a child coming in to school with infectious hfm.

For a teacher your reading comprehension seems poor.

You could have caught it from the child prior to them displaying obvious symptoms.

The child could have had a week off, returned symptom free, AND STILL PASSED IT TO YOU MONTHS LATER.

Sending a child in does not correlate directly to a higher transmission/infection rate, which is why public health guidance does not require children be off school when they have HFM.

No. They infected me a couple of days after their symptoms started, when they were most infectious