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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Nanny share. Sickness question.

12 replies

Sleepwalkingdiscodancer · 12/07/2012 16:51

Hi all. Hope someone can clear something up for me. My Dc (10 months old) has german measles. Small rash. No temp. Completely normal. Our nanny works 2 days a week for us and 3 days for another family. She won't come to work as she doesn't want to 'infect' the other family. From our family dr, I understand German measles not an issue unless pregnant. The nanny isnt pregnant, and the other family mother isn't. I understand my Dc has to stay home as he could infect someone. But is it right that the nanny can also not work in these circumstances? I'm not sure what's normal, but didn't think she could 'cross infect' iykwim. Thanks for any views

OP posts:
Sleepwalkingdiscodancer · 12/07/2012 16:53

Plus I've seen adverts for agency nannies who will look after sick children who can't go to.nursery. How could this work re cross infection?

OP posts:
NickNacks · 12/07/2012 17:28

Why should the nanny risk herself catching rubella? Maybe she just doesn't want to get ill.

Sleepwalkingdiscodancer · 12/07/2012 17:40

Point taken but she's had the vaccine...

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OneHandFlapping · 12/07/2012 17:42

One of the advantages of a nanny over other forms of childcare is that the nanny will look after sick children.

I think she's being unnecessarily cautious here.

nannynick · 12/07/2012 18:21

It is a virus which is spread via droplets - so from breathing. In theory your nanny could catch it and could in theory pass it on. However there is a vaccine for this, so depending on the age of the other children, they may already have had the vaccine (it is usually given around 12-14 months of age).

As a childcarer coming into contact with childhood diseases is an occupational hazard. I would have thought that your nanny could ask their GP for a rubella immunity test (this is a test done for pregnant women) they may be charged for it, to confirm that they either have had the vaccine already, or if they need to have it. Your nanny depending on their age may have had the vaccine as a child. Up until 1996 (I think) rubella vaccine was given to girls at age 10 to 13 years. The MMR was introduced around 1988 and given to children around 1 year old and again at around 3 years old.

NHS Choices says: "Someone who has the rubella virus is infectious for one week before symptoms appear and for up to six days after the rash first starts."

So like other childhood diseases, it spreads before it shows symptoms, so assuming your nanny worked last week, then they have probably already been exposed to the virus.

I feel that the nanny should still work as the chances are that they have had the vaccine and that the children they care for have also had the vaccine or still have parental immunity. If it is convenient to you, then you could allow them to take annual leave, to try to ease the situation. If your child's symptoms get worse, then I feel you should consider staying at home with them as children who are ill want their mum usually, not their nanny.

Rubella is rare... NHS Choices says there were 12 cases in 2010 (England & Wales). Rubella is a Notifiable Disease so although symptoms are usually minor, it is a condition that the health authorities monitor.

nannynick · 12/07/2012 18:32

She has had the vaccine, so she can't get Rubella. I have yet to find any information about if she can be a carrier of rubella... anyone know? I would have thought that the vaccine would prevent that but I'm not a scientist.

nannynick · 12/07/2012 19:01

Rubella Confirmed Cases data table for anyone interested.

Sleepwalking - are you in the UK? Has your childs GP had the lab result back confirming Rubella or are they awaiting the results?

If the other family are worried about it, maybe they should suggest the nanny takes annual leave.

Sleepwalkingdiscodancer · 12/07/2012 19:17

Thanks nannynick - yep UK.

They didn't take a swab at the GP! Hmmm maybe they should have.

I'll suggest annual leave to her- v sensible suggestion. In the carrier front I don't think you can be as I asked whether DH would have to stay at home as is contact with DC and dr said no...

OP posts:
lunar1 · 12/07/2012 19:48

You are not necessarily immune from the vaccine. I was immunized on 3 separate occasions before i developed immunity. I was really starting to panic too as I was getting to the end of my nurse training, and you have to prove immunity to occupational health before the nhs will employ you.

longjane · 12/07/2012 21:02

i would like to say that i am was not immune rubella even though I was immunized.

What does your contact says about illness
would you be happy if your nanny came to work with rubella? or d and v or flu

nannynick · 12/07/2012 21:17

Maybe it isn't rubella? Any GPs reading this able to confirm how rubella is diagnosed?

Sleepwalking, do you really want to leave your son given he is ill and that young children can deteriate quickly?

Would your nanny work if it was a different illness?

RancerDoo · 12/07/2012 21:22

I find this very strange. What other illnesses will she need time off for?

If she won't look after your child when he is sick you may as well use a nursery.

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