To go to work with this as a teacher?

[MelMar1]

Severe chesty cough all weekend. Comes in bouts with thick yellow phlegm. (Sorry). I still have an appetite and don’t have any other major symptoms bit of a slight blocked nose but that’s it. It is all just my chest. I had a dry cough this week and chest tightness. Over the weekend it suddenly turned chesty, and feels like a weight on my chest too. But I’ve no fever etc. I did two Covid tests- negative. As a result I feel it’s probably not contagious with the lack of fever etc and that I should be at work. But then I’m wondering AIBU because it is a productive cough, and with the weight feeling on my chest talking to classes will be harder! Why is it so hard to make these decisions as a teacher argh!

If you feel fit for work in the morning you go in. If you don't feel fit and don't feel you can teach and manage classes effectively you don't.

I hope you feel better soon.

I would go to gp and check it isn’t pneumonia tbh. I’m also a teacher and wouldn’t want you spreading anything to me!

This basically!

Take time off to get better! Don’t feel guilty either. I had that horrible hacking cough and I was off work for 10 days.

@ilovesooty Thank you. That’s the hard part I’m in bed because the cough makes it hard to do or focus on anything but I feel okay in myself. If that makes sense. It’s more that the cough is so disruptive and I also can’t exactly spit phlegm into a tissue at the front of a classroom. So the practical nature of it really! Sorry that’s gross but!

@Haggisfish3 I really don’t think it’s contagious though if I’ve no other symptoms. Surely can’t be pneumonia with no fever?!

@ConsuelaHammock Thank you. Are you a teacher too?

I balance up how I’m feeling with the grind of getting cover work out for classes. If the thought of sorting cover is worse than my illness, I know I’m well enough to go in. I’ve had persistent laryngitis since mid Jan but as I’ve felt well in myself I’ve been in and the kids have just had to deal with my rough voice.

When younger I used to haul myself in but now in my late 50s I take the time if I need it, to properly get myself right.

You really shouldn’t be speaking if you have laryngitis, less still projecting as you have to in a classroom. No other professional voice user would do it. If you want to be able to continue teaching, protect your voice!
Edit: as you’re late 50s, it’s more likely to affect your retirement I guess - but that’s worse!

I'm a teacher so understand how hard it is to be off.

If you don't feel well enough to manage then definitely stay home - school will survive!

I always end up thinking - can I just manage to avoid setting cover/my classes missing out. Not ideal really but think we are all the same! I had to have one day off just before Oct half term. I have a back/spinal issue that flared, hadn't slept as I couldn't even turn over in bed without being in agony, co codomol hadn't touched pain and I could barely move. I still bloody lay in bed wondering if I could drag myself in 😳 I didn't! I stayed home and went to the physio instead 😔

Hope you feel better soon!

I think pneumonia can present like that with no temp and no other symptoms. My mum had it. I’d want someone to listen to your chest at least.

I doubt you're still contagious, but I also doubt you're well enough for work. I'd call in and get a check with the GP in case you need some antibiotics or steroids.

(Not a teacher, but I am a lecturer so I understand the feeling you need to show up if your head's still attached on teaching days.)

What age do you teach? I’m a teacher and totally get it! Especially as sometimes it’s harder to be off as you’ve got to set work etc anyway! I’m secondary, and would be able to manage by changing my planning and doing less ‘front of class’ stuff, but primary I wouldn’t! Get well soon x

@Daria32 Secondary. But. I feel if I’m just doing cover-style lessons with them I may as well stay at home and recover if that makes sense! Like if I’m there I want to actually teach. I teach English so a lot of talking and that sets me off with the coughing then.

I've had a cough like this for a month or so now. Keep coughing up loads. It's disgusting.

I get it every year, usually Dec/Jan and it clears completely after a few weeks. I’m part time so get plenty of down-time. Like most teachers, I save time off for when I can’t function. In fairness, the kids in our school are pretty good when they can see you’re not 100%, they don’t take the mick.

My theory is if I’m well enough to muck out my horse, I can drag my arse into school 😂

update- was signed off for the week. Bronchitis!

Sorry to hear that op. Take proper time to rest and recover. It can really knock the stuffing out of you.