To consider keeping DS off nursery - Strep A

[MeowwandAnder]

So I’ve just woken up to an email stating one case of GAS, one case of Scarlett Fever and one case of impetigo at DS’s nursery. I think this is just me having a panic, and I will send him in. I work while he is in nursery - with young children. I don’t want to pass anything on there either. I think I can only stay alert to any symptoms. Next week - I’m off work, so maybe I’ll keep him off too. So AIBU to consider keeping DS off?

Keep off . I would one hundred percent.

I work in a nursery myself and have done for over 10 years, these are not new illnesses and have been around for many many years, media scaremongering once again! I honestly can't understand why everyone is so panicked by these now.

Of course if you would prefer to keep your DC off nursery to avoid infection that is totally your choice as their parent however I wouldn't personally, enjoy some alone time whilst you are off work

I would definitely keep him off as you can do lots of lovely Christmas things together like baking and crafts.

Thanks for your replies. It would mean me taking time off work at a critical time. Plus he’d miss his Xmas show. So I think I’ll just keep calm and carry on. The GAS case I think means IGAS - so invasive. I guess you just go with the advice, and if it was unsafe - the nursery would be shut?

There’s always something circulating. If you took your child out each time they would never go in. The reason this has made headlines is because since covid we haven’t had as many cases of these things but strep a has been around forever.
don’t stop your life through fear. Nursery is important for a child’s routine and I presume they will be off for a few days over Christmas anyway.

@StepMumto1

They have been around, but I think it’s the way it’s presenting - particularly at the moment. I had NHS emails about Strep A last night from both the school where I work/DS’s school. So I think it’s a bit more than media hype now. Whereas I’d monitor media with scepticism - the emails from school would make me more alert/aware/precautionary.

@AmIThatMam I was feeling fairly low key about it until I got the school emails. Also that it’s 3 cases at DS’s nursery - one being invasive Strep A. I don’t know!! It’s trying to weigh up - and I think I agree with you - and send him in.

It is 100% up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

Of course there's always something circulating but if they have had what you think might be a case of invasive GAS then no way would I send my kid in. This isn't a standard sickness bug or cold. Small children are dying and I wouldn't take the risk personally. My one year old goes to nursery and he's going today but if there were actual cases of Strep A or scarlet fever there I would keep him home.

Different pov. I work in a school/nursery. We've had a horrid set of viruses run through the school. Possibly strep A, now looking at the symptoms. All our kids have bounced back. Yes we have had a case of scarlet fever. But last year we had about 5 cases.....no one panicked then. The kids get ABs and most the time are fine (all ours were fine). There are always viruses and illnesses that put kids in hospital. These are tiny in number compared to the amount of kids we have. But the media is whipping up a frenzy among parents and an unhealthy level of fear.

Should we all go into lockdown again because of a virus? Absolutely not. But that is what you are suggesting keeping your child at home and you off work.....

Also if you have a government funded space e.g. 15 or 30 hours free you do have a minimum attendance level that you need to meet or you become liable for the funding.

Mine's going in. It's his last year at nursery and he has a theatre trip plus nativity in the next two weeks, then they close on the 16th.

We've not had any emails about cases though.

I remember a few years ago, I want to say 2013/14?, there was a bad outbreak of norovirus in schools and MN along with my local school chats were identical to this thread. Lots of "should I take my kids out of school/nursery" and dozens of people agreeing saying they were keeping the kids off (and a few doing it so as to not ruin xmas). In fact the school ended up closing a few days early as there was such panic from a small number of parents so they closed early for a deep clean.

We had one reception child die due to noro complications in our school, incredibly rare but any virus has the potential to kill even the good old common cold. There is always nasty viruses about in winter, and whilst I understand the worry I refuse to disrupt my childrens education again.

I tend to be cautious, remind children to have good hygiene and carry on as normal whilst hoping for the best.

Thank you - it’s great to hear the different perspectives. What I’m trying to find out - is Invasive Strep A - is it a usual Strep A infection that has unfortunately entered the blood? It’s more an uncommon reaction to Strep A rather than a separate infection/disease in itself? So it’s an unusual reaction rather than a different strain?

do I think it’s scary- yes
would I / will I keep my child home- no
because then I’d send them back when the media calms down but the illness is still there. I’d be extra vigilant checking symptoms but no life goes on imo.

Hi, This is nhs Scotland fact sheet
www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/streptococcus-a-strep-a

If I was in your position and able to work from home I would absolutely.
Why risk it? There isn't much longer left to go.

Due to all the media our school has been inundated with calls and emails from parents about strep a.

We had to send the email because of this - there was no plan to originally but the chaos forced our hand.

Interestingly, we had 4 cases in a year group a little while before all of the media scaremongering and nobody really bat an eyelid!

Guidence from an English NHS trust.
IGAS is the same strain, different presentation. Will only impact a tiny number of people.

www.ulh.nhs.uk/news/scarlet-fever-and-invasive-group-a-strep/

Thank you so much people!!

There are more invasive cases because of higher strep A levels this year. A knock on effect from isolating during covid. I don't think isolating is doing anyone any favours. It will be back every year regardless. I feel anxious about it too because of the bloody media. I will be continuing to send my child to nursery though and being vigilant.

Why risk what?

And then in January when there is a tummy bug doing the rounds should the child also be kept home?

And I was talking to an A&E nurse yesterday she said she is seeing lots of eye infections this week....so when they get to schools should child also be kept home......

What about chicken pox? And all the other bugs?

Are we really doing our kids any favours if we behave like this?

Well it’s nursery so his schooling won’t be affected. Normally I would say no but reading that kids have gone from healthy to dead in 24 hours is extremely alarming. In addition, worried parents are swarming doctors and A and E which is increasing wait times. I would probably keep him off.

I find it strange how people are competitively “ok” with all that’s happening, and even pass jokes about it. 9 deaths. Yes OP, I would absolutely keep my small child at home if I had this opportunity. There are 3 cases in the nursery, it is an outbreak. You’re off work next week (do I understand it right?), you don’t need the childcare, so you could spend a nice time with your child? I would. I’m telling it as a person whose children never stopped going to school through pandemic (essential worker). I’m not running away from all the infections, and so on and so on. But why would I send my small child to the place where there is a confirmed outbreak when I’m off work and don’t need childcare?

Why risk it? There isn't much longer left to go.

That's not true, is it? My boss would be most displeased if I wanted to WFH with a nursery-age child from the 7th to the 23rd of any month.

Obviously for this OP she is off next week - I assume then back in the week after, but I meant in general there are 2.5 working weeks for parents.