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Original poster

Dd has a bit of a cold - send to school or not?

194 replies

Besom · 26/08/2020 07:10

Dd has a mild sniffly cold. No cough, temp or anything. Normally would just send her but at the moment - what are we supposed to do?

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 26/08/2020 07:15

Send her. Schools have to be pragmatic about dealing with regular bugs. (Although....if you are the first bug back after reopening then be prepared they may ask you to get her tested. It should be a result in about 24 hours then back to school....)

Original poster
Besom · 26/08/2020 07:16

Thanks yes was thinking I better phone them.

OP posts:
Yellowbutterfly1 · 26/08/2020 07:24

This is going to be a nightmare when all schools go back.
So many children have been away from others for so long that their natural immunity will likely be pretty low so I can imagine they will catch more things from others then normal.

MRex · 26/08/2020 07:25

I'd phone them, they may prefer a couple of days absence to half the class going off for tests and back.

Mrsjayy · 26/08/2020 07:29

I was speaking to somebody yesterday who's granddaughter was sent home from school and advised to have a test it turned out negative thankfully, definitely phone the school and see if they want her in.

yawnsvillex · 26/08/2020 07:31

Send her in! You'll be having this every 3 weeks ...

We've had colds for the last 2 weeks and likely to get one every month until February.

Tfoot75 · 26/08/2020 07:33

Send him, I don't think their policy could be anything but the official one. I think schools will send them home if they say they feel ill though, won't attempt to keep them in school like normal. My dd came home with. Sore throat in July. We had a test done just in case but she could go back next day.

InsaneInTheViralMembrane · 26/08/2020 07:34

I had this yesterday and kept him home. Phoned the school who were very pragmatic and understand that kids will get regular colds. He’s going back in today!

Original poster
Besom · 26/08/2020 07:39

Ok thanks folks - insane - you are in Scotland?

OP posts:
InsaneInTheViralMembrane · 26/08/2020 07:49

Yes, PKC. It’s a small village school though so your mileage may vary.

phlebasconsidered · 26/08/2020 07:59

I would very much prefer it if all parents with children exhibiting symptoms would follow guidelines and keep them at home and get them tested. But it seems like things will be back to normal and they'll just be dosed with calpol and sent in most of the time.

And that's how it will spread in schools.

angelopal · 26/08/2020 08:02

If she has no cough or temp send her. We had to get a test for DS but he had a cough. If they stayed off for every sniffle they would never be there.

FelicityPike · 26/08/2020 08:04

They’ll punt her home if the they feel they have to. Send her in.

BelleSausage · 26/08/2020 08:05

If she has no cough or temp then send her. If she does have either then she must,must,must get a test.

I say this as someone who stood in a windy car park last week and had to perform the test on myself and 4 yo DD. It is not worth the risk.

Smil3 · 26/08/2020 08:08

I'd phone the school first. My DD was sent home from the nursery attached to the school because she has a cold and coughed a few times to clear her throat. I've to have her off until she has a test and it shows as negative (we got this done last night) but her cough must also be gone regardless of the result before can come back. If I didn't have the test they wouldn't allow her back for 14 days. May seem OTT but I get why they are being super cautious. Lesson learned for me, don't send her in with a cold no matter how well in herself she seems! (I'm in Scotland)

Happymum12345 · 26/08/2020 08:10

Get her tested. Symptoms vary greatly.

toodlepipsqueaks · 26/08/2020 08:15

*I would very much prefer it if all parents with children exhibiting symptoms would follow guidelines and keep them at home and get them tested. But it seems like things will be back to normal and they'll just be dosed with calpol and sent in most of the time.

And that's how it will spread in schools.*

Yes but symptoms of the virus or symptoms of anything? The OP's child doesn't have the former. Are you saying anyone who is not at their best should be kept off? That's not in line with the guidance.

InsaneInTheViralMembrane · 26/08/2020 08:41

Phleb - which symptom is OP’s child exhibiting?

BelleSausage · 26/08/2020 09:04

Symptoms can be very mild in children and vary greatly.

If parents want schools to stay open then they need to do their part in helping stop staff members from getting sick by having their ill children tested.

It’s not a lot to ask. Especially since staff are being asked to work unprotected to get schools open in the first place.

If we are going to have parents acting selfishly then the whole system will fall apart.

phlebasconsidered · 26/08/2020 09:11

I realise that the guidelines don't specify a runny nose as a symptom. However, given that staff will be being exposed to asymptomatic children, I would rather that any symptoms in a child be taken seriously.

My sister and one nephew were seriously ill with covid and still not fully recovered 5 months on. Her other 2 children just had runny noses with no temperature change and her husband just had a sore throat and was a bit sweaty. I'm fully aware that I will end up teaching kids with "just a cold" though. Although how we will know that it is "just" a cold I don't know.

I know it's a pain. I fully expect to be inconvenienced as a parent myself.

GoldenOmber · 26/08/2020 09:11

If parents want schools to stay open then they need to do their part in helping stop staff members from getting sick by having their ill children tested.

But ill children have to meet the testing criteria to get a test, and that’s the three symptoms already listed. Cough, fever, loss of taste/smell.

Yes there are other symptoms of Covid but right now, if your child does not have one of those three symptoms, your child can’t get a test (unless you lie and say that they do I suppose).

It isn’t ‘acting selfishly’ to abide by the rules that exist.

yarncakes · 26/08/2020 09:12

Send her in. We've all had stuffy nose and a cold. Covid results was negative and recovered soon after. Now I've got a lingering cough that I always bloody get after having a poxy cold! So work is going to make me take another test.

BelleSausage · 26/08/2020 09:17

@GoldenOmber

Have you actually read any of the updates about how mild symptoms present in children? It can present initially as a runny nose

AriettyHomily · 26/08/2020 09:18

@phlebasconsidered

I would very much prefer it if all parents with children exhibiting symptoms would follow guidelines and keep them at home and get them tested. But it seems like things will be back to normal and they'll just be dosed with calpol and sent in most of the time.

And that's how it will spread in schools.

A cold isn't a symptom.
museumum · 26/08/2020 09:21

[quote BelleSausage]@GoldenOmber

Have you actually read any of the updates about how mild symptoms present in children? It can present initially as a runny nose[/quote]
Doesn’t change the fact you won’t get a test without a cough or fever.

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