Had family over today, and all the little ones were poorly

[brilliantjustbrilliant]

We had five under fives in the house today.

They were all under the weather - streaming noses, coughs, sneezing, temperatures. All brushed off by the parents as teething or just a virus. They were all timing the calpol doses so that the kids were on fine form at the start of the day but it soon descended into them all being clearly unwell, by which point all the parents had started to have a drink and therefore had to wait for the taxis. I volunteered to take them all home in pairs but they all said no, because the kids were “fine”.

argh I’m so angry. That’s the rest of this year and the start of next written off with another bug.

You may well be “over it” but those of us who haven’t got kids don’t need to be subjected to the same illnesses? It’s scary that you’d take your child out while they’re really unwell!

My mum uses this every time she's been out in public at this time of year!

I sympathise OP. Its all very well for the parents who are a)younger b) in better health but not fun or unavoidable for you. I'd speak to them about it however. Perhaps like many on here it doesn't cross their mind that not everyone wants illness in exchange for free wine and food

I wouldn’t take my kids out with a temperature, although i’d feel like an awful shit either way because cancelling on a mate on Boxing Day is also bad form and the sick child sounds like an excuse.

I use it like this too. I also have some gel that I put round my nose.

Most viruses get in to our bodies via our eyes. So no touching your face or rubbing your eyes. Frequent hand washing. I never touch door handles etc.

But I do wish people would be more careful. If you have sick children then keep them at home. Or if you must go out go to the park and stay outdoors.
Do not go to someone’s house!

Surely all 5 weren't sick. Were the babies teething?

Find me a family with kids under 5 who doesn't have at least one with a lurgy at Xmas .... it's just the way it is. There's a huge chance that any kids coming into your house at Xmas will bring a bug. It's also not just kids that spread stuff adults do too. Even if they'd left just recovered their parents would have brought it in. If you are so scared of getting a bug don't host Xmas.

The kids will all prob have had a flu jab so it is most likely a cold they have or a chest infection. Very unlikely they'd all have chest infections at the same time! As for being 'dosed up' on calpol! It's not morphine, its paracetamol. Afraid it's not so powerful as to completely hid illness.

Nursery here would have sent them home

So what? If your kids ill then keep them at home.

It's 1+1 stuff!

People are selfish. I’m immunocompromised and always say if you’re unwell (streaming cold, tonsillitis, random virus) I don’t want to see you
people still visit with illnesses
i have said before “would you visit someone in hospital with cancer like this?” And got “oh no that’s different”

They said they were but I’m not inclined to believe them

@brilliantjustbrilliant next Christmas don't host these people. Save your hosting for the summer.

I had scheduled surgery two months ago. Surgeon made it clear if I caught something surgery could be cancelled. I told everyone I would be isolating. I've waited so long for the surgery.

We’ve had flu go through our family like a dose of salts. It’s awful. Prepare for the worst op

I did exactly the same for a gynae surgery. Waited two years for it so I isolated for 10 days as I wasn’t missing the damn op!

No we don’t. Not in my setting. Sick kids need to be AT HOME not spreading their germs far and wide. As a parent, I keep my child off if they are unwell. Sounds like these parents just wanted a piss up with no regard for their kids

OP I've only read your posts on the thread but from your replies to people there are clearly some defensive parents who would have done the same as your relatives did.

YANBU to be annoyed and to feel sorry for the kids. They're thoughtless and selfish.

I hope you don't catch it.

On a side note when you get bloods back from your GP check your ferritin level and B12 level results yourself too, as often gp's version of "fine" and what's actually fine are two very different things.

And a bigger difference when the adults can’t stay off the booze for one day to give the option of going home! That’s the worst bit in my opinion. Poor kids didnt want to be there and their parents can’t even be arsed to stay sober to put their needs first

This is a no win though - on special occasions, there's pressure to join in. My mother still wears a face mask and continually criticises people who spread their germs, but anyone cancelling on her would get the thin lip treatment.

YANBU. DC’s nursery had to send a letter home about not sending clearly unwell kids in, or if they have needed Calpol in the morning before going to nursery. DC1 caught the lurgy several kids were off with and bounced back just fine but immunocompromised DC2 (6 months) was knocked for six for about three weeks and it triggered a bottle aversion which she still has.

No need to bring them into a friend’s house, though.

I notice this with parents who spread the germs. They also don't seem to understand basic science. Airflow is important, as long as no one gets cold. I see so many people close everything up when ill, literally sealing everyone else in with it.

Both my little ones have just been ill with a virus that went to chest infections - me and DH, grandparents, aunts, uncles were all in constant contact with them (their choice) and no one has caught it.

Usually when my kids get ill I don't catch it - they have lower immunity than adults! It's rude of the parents to bring them to yours ill but it definitely doesn't mean you'll get sick

That's totally selfish of them to knowingly bring illness into your home. Open the windows to air the place out. Detol spray (in a can) is great for misting over couches/carpets/surfaces. Also I can second recommending Vicks First Defence. Use it as soon as you can. It can kill the virus at the back of your nose before it takes hold.

but is it drama? We are exposed to way more viruses than generations ago with the population increases and global travel, we are also getting increases in cancer incidence in young people. I think there's already a link shown between viral exposure and blood cancers (not a direct link, but over time with the increased exposure to viruses, the burden on the body and immune system). There's recent correlations between lung infections waking up dormant lung cancers that the body was holding in check. People say viruses will only take out unhealthy people but what if viruses are making us unhealthy? Maybe we shouldn't have a culture of spreading germs, it's not rocket science to limit spread.

Most a bit young for school if all under 5, unless they were all 4