Would you take your child like this?

[Willbechristmasnext]

Dc, 3 has picked up a cold and chesty cough from nursery. She’s ok in herself, just coughing more at night. She has a Halloween party tomorrow she’s been waiting ages for, would you let your child go? Can they still pass things on, do you think other parents would be pissed off with her coughing everywhere and blame us if their kids get sick 😬

You're asking if coughs and colds are contagious?

Of course you can pass on colds and coughs...... surely you know this?

Yes I'd take her.

@JudjyPants Ive no idea if there’s a period when they’re less
I’m asking if you’d take your child

Yes the other parents would probably be a bit annoyed with you for bringing a coughing child.

I’d probably do a covid test to rule that out, if you haven’t already. Then assuming it’s negative and no fever or D&V either then yes absolutely I’d take her. Nursery kids have non stop colds in winter, you’d never go anywhere if you cancelled every time they have one!

@MithrilCostsMore Worried my friends will be pissed off with us, although at this time of year, surely everyone’s getting it all

I think you’re meant to be more contagious before symptoms start showing.

If she’s back to her normal self and just a lingering cough, I’d take her personally.

@FlounderingFruitcake I suppose it’s more the cough

Yes I would be pissed off if you brought a coughing and sick child around others. See how she feels tomorrow and decide.

@ABJ100 She’s ok in herself, playing, running around, but has a cough and sneezing sometimes

Coughs can linger for weeks though… winter at nursery and my DD was probably coughing as often than she wasn’t, and when she wasn’t coughing there was a runny nose. Same for most of the other kids too. Small kids really are quite gross.
But if in doubt ask the host!

Honestly, people are so precious, if it's just a cold then let her

This.

Covid aside, October to February is pretty much constant cold season for small children. It's all part of building their immune system but if you stayed home everything then you'd never go anywhere.

A cough/cold with no fever, no d&v, eating/drinking, and well in themselves - go out.

If her form really is 100%, I'd give her a cough pastille (broncho-stop etc) and let her go.

If she's over the worst and it's a lingering cough then I'd take her.

If it's fairly new and she's in the grip of full cold symptoms then I'd stay at home.

I don't think you can stay at home everytime they have a cough, you'd never leave the house!

If this was at our school, people would be pissed off. We are all aware that there is a highly vulnerable child, and 2 parents, one of whom is undergoing chemo. Everyone is being mindful and keeping sick children away from group activities.

Honestly, no I'd probably not take my 3 year old to a crowded party if they had a noticeable cough caused by a virus. They're not exactly great at hygiene and covering their mouths, are they?

Broncho-stop pastilles are for adults and children over 12, don't give her one of those. Don't give her any cough suppressants at all, it's better for children to 'get it out' as it helps keep their lungs clear and cough medicine isn't recommended for young children.

Coughs and sneezes spread diseases
So always use a handkerchief

My god, I can't believe how many people would be 'pissed off' at bring a child that has a cough/cold and is otherwise fine to party. How warped has covid made people?? Kids get colds, that's how they build up an immune system. You'd never go anywhere ever if you tried to avoid all germs. Get a grip people.

OP if your daughter is otherwise fine, no temp or sickness just go to the party. Most kids are snot fests this time of year.

Same.

Full on coughing and spluttering then definitely not, surely this was good practice even before covid. Lingering cough just at night and generally well then I think it would be fine.

Yes I would. D&V no but a cold yes.

I have Covid at the moment, tested negative on days 2, 3 and 5 and only tested positive on day 9 of being sick. Both DD and DS same symptoms as me also got 2 x negative tests. No fever, no D&V, just sore throat, cough and runny nose. DD and DS both well enough for school so went.

Then yesterday other DS had fever and tested positive so I retested us all again and I, DS and DD all tested positive.
DD and DS have been in school all week with covid and we didnt know and infected god knows how many people.

It goes to show that negative tests and no fever do not prove you dont have covid.