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Original poster

Back to school and nursery on monday- both kids have caught a cold

84 replies

Dazzband · 05/09/2020 11:51

Hi all,
Myself and both of my kids have caught a cold since yesterday, sore throat, coughing, and runny noses- no temperature. DD starts back at school on Monday, she should be we enough to go but have the tail end of cold symptoms, coughing and runny nose. Should I keep her off untill symptoms have completely gone? I'm guessing the school would probably send her home, Im not sure though

OP posts:
ChanceChanceChance · 05/09/2020 12:36

@TheKeatingFive

There is a very snotty cold going round at the minute that involves a productive cough.
Goodo. But you don't know which is which, unless you're one of the spaniels they are training to sniff out the virus?
ScarMatty · 05/09/2020 12:37

@jaffacakesareabiscuit

Are people honestly saying to get tested because they have a COLD?! As far as I was aware, a dry cough and temperature are the main symptoms....not a runny nose/productive cough, obvious cold symptoms?

I currently have a cold thanks to my son bringing it home from nursery. Snotty nose, occasional phlegmy cough, no temp, congestion. I haven't been tested and there has been no suggestion that I should. It's not Covid, it's a common cold exactly like every other cold I have ever had in my life.

No one suggested it because they're hoping you have enough brain power to realise you cannot self diagnose.

Evidently not though.

ChanceChanceChance · 05/09/2020 12:39

@jaffacakesareabiscuit

Are people honestly saying to get tested because they have a COLD?! As far as I was aware, a dry cough and temperature are the main symptoms....not a runny nose/productive cough, obvious cold symptoms?

I currently have a cold thanks to my son bringing it home from nursery. Snotty nose, occasional phlegmy cough, no temp, congestion. I haven't been tested and there has been no suggestion that I should. It's not Covid, it's a common cold exactly like every other cold I have ever had in my life.

'people' are not saying that. 'people' are repeating the NHS guidance.

The NHS is clear you get a test with any of the three main symptoms:

Fever
New continuous cough
Loss of smell/taste

The problem is too many people are not following the guidance. Because they are using their much trumpeted 'common sense' instead.

profpoopsnagle · 05/09/2020 12:41

OP, I'd ring the school on Monday and go by their guidance.

Actual NHS guidance is for a new continuous cough.

NHS definition of a new continuous cough is – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

Hope you'er all feeling better soon.

Grrretel · 05/09/2020 12:42

You don’t need to try to diagnose the cough yourself, you just isolate and get a test.

ChanceChanceChance · 05/09/2020 12:42

You're supposed to get tested as soon as possible to avoid false negatives.

TheKeatingFive · 05/09/2020 12:48

NHS definition of a new continuous cough is – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

This should be helpful OP.

justmewithmylifetoday · 05/09/2020 12:54

@ChanceChanceChance

You're supposed to get tested as soon as possible to avoid false negatives.
I agree with ChanceChanceChance, it's important to get tested as soon as you can after symptoms start.

Nursery won't let my DD go in with one of the symptoms. She has a cold but because she has a temp we've had to get her tested. (Awaiting results) yes children get colds alot and yes this season is probably going to be a nightmare but the easiest way to avoid a repeat of March-Aug is just to test.

MichonnesBBF · 05/09/2020 12:56

This happened to us Monday (i was supposed to start work again Tuesday...school) kids due back Wednesday.
Both kids start with a cough...booked a test got them done found out they were unclear 6:00am following morning. Needed to be retested (work told me i could not go in until negative test result)
Found out they were negative 6:00am Wednesday. All systems go to get ready for work and school. Rang schools explained they were negative but did have a cough, all good and they were accepted in as they were not unwell with it.

Bol87 · 05/09/2020 13:15

My nephews school have said if a child has cold like symptoms (runny nose, very snotty) & have a cough, then they can go in. Only if they have a totally isolated cough or obviously a temp etc do they need to test..

We are gona run out of tests if we have to test every coughing child. Literally run out. Results will not take 24 hours anymore either. Children get coughs & colds constantly. I’d lose my job if isolate for every cold. I think they need to really define persistent. My kid is coughing today but once or twice every couple hours and it’s fully productive. Even my GP told me not to test her if the cough is productive. Covid cough is predominantly very dry. 🤷🏼‍♀️

U8myufo · 05/09/2020 13:22

@Bol87

My nephews school have said if a child has cold like symptoms (runny nose, very snotty) & have a cough, then they can go in. Only if they have a totally isolated cough or obviously a temp etc do they need to test..

We are gona run out of tests if we have to test every coughing child. Literally run out. Results will not take 24 hours anymore either. Children get coughs & colds constantly. I’d lose my job if isolate for every cold. I think they need to really define persistent. My kid is coughing today but once or twice every couple hours and it’s fully productive. Even my GP told me not to test her if the cough is productive. Covid cough is predominantly very dry. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Totally agree. Pragmatic approach.
JayDot500 · 05/09/2020 13:29

Why should they school accept your kid because you think it's a cold. Wait until there are no symptoms if you're not going to get tested.

DS' school have said they're not accepting any coughing kids, unless there's another likely medical reason for it, or a negative Covid test. The teachers don't need your kids cold thanks. When they have to take time off to await a negative Covid test, then maybe you people with"common sense" will get better sense.

Lucindainthesky · 05/09/2020 13:33

All we can do is hope that the idiots who can self diagnose their symptoms with 100% certainty as a cold don't have children in our classes.

AlphaJura · 05/09/2020 13:36

My dd caught a cold after 2 wks of being back at nursery. Only symptom was a runny nose though, which on its own isn't a covid symptom. I checked with the nursery and they said a few of them are bunged up (no surprises there because that's where she picked it up) and it was fine to send her in but if she had anything like a temp, cough or not being herself, not to.

Worriedmum999 · 05/09/2020 13:45

People are so stupid. Just get a bloody test!!

jaffacakesareabiscuit · 05/09/2020 13:46

@Bol87

My nephews school have said if a child has cold like symptoms (runny nose, very snotty) & have a cough, then they can go in. Only if they have a totally isolated cough or obviously a temp etc do they need to test..

We are gona run out of tests if we have to test every coughing child. Literally run out. Results will not take 24 hours anymore either. Children get coughs & colds constantly. I’d lose my job if isolate for every cold. I think they need to really define persistent. My kid is coughing today but once or twice every couple hours and it’s fully productive. Even my GP told me not to test her if the cough is productive. Covid cough is predominantly very dry. 🤷🏼‍♀️

This 100%

Yes covid is very real and dangerous and still around but I do think a lot of people need to use a bit of common sense too. Young kids get snotty noses and sniffles a lot...I would lose my job if I stayed off work every single time my child was snotty and coughing this winter.

A cough with no other typical cold symptoms and/or a temperature then absolutely, isolate and get tested.

My child was at nursery with a snotty nose and mild cough and they didn't bat an eyelid, said they would be sending every child home if that was their criteria so they say to only keep them off if they have a temperature or cough with no other symptoms. Sensible imo

Grrretel · 05/09/2020 13:51

Except typical covid symptoms in children are a cough and sore throat, runny nose, temperature, tummy ache...

It's not like it's just a cough Confused

And lots of children have it with no symptoms.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 05/09/2020 13:53

I'm in Scotland and this is our government advice:

(from CMO)
I understand these last few months have often been challenging, particularly for parents and carers. Now that schools and nurseries have returned I am writing to provide some advice where a child or young person in your care presents with symptoms of the common cold or similar bugs during this pandemic.

Following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education. In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold, they may need to take a day or two off to recover.

Cold-like symptoms
If, however, your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they and you do not need to self-isolate. Your child can go to school if fit to do so.

End

I work in a school and I currently have a cold - congestion, sore throat and headache - none of which are Covid symptoms. I've been at work and sat wearing my mask as I don't want to give people my cold.

Grrretel · 05/09/2020 13:56

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder to be fair, sore throat and headaches are common covid symptoms, they just aren't the symptoms we're currently required to isolate and test for in the UK.

Trottersindependenttraders · 05/09/2020 14:03

We had colds and sore throats here last weekend and because I’m logging with the COVID app, I was invited for a test along with any members of the same household. So we all booked a test and they were negative. I did contact school to double check they were happy with me sending DS in at the back end of his cold on Thursday. They were but each school will be different.

I can see how this is going to be one of the difficulties as we go through the winter. That said, it’s quite possible schools will be on / off by then anyway!

Neversayn1 · 05/09/2020 14:07

@Dazzband

I am fully aware the main symptom is a cough! However we all have caught a COLD, not coronavirus. This is the time colds are common, that being said, I will keep her off untill she's fully recovered. I think people will have to start using their common sense as a lot of people will be catching a cold around this time
I agree. School attendances are going to be really poor. Something better needs to be put in place. Where’s the school nurse when you need her!
Christmas1935 · 05/09/2020 14:09

You need to test or isolate for 14 days.

There are lots of symptoms associated with Covid, but the main three are those to prompt a test.

School will likely just send your child home if they are coughing.

My youngest develops a smokers cough at the end of every cold; and gets a cold every 3-4 weeks in the autumn/winter.

I’ve already had to collect her from preschool once due to her cold turning into a cough while there.

She’s come down with a cold again in the last few days and is now coughing. So all of my kids are being tested tomorrow, ready to go back to school on Tuesday.

We just have to be methodical about this. If they cough/get a temp then just book in and get tested. More testing slots get released throughout the day and a large amount of slots at 8pm, so keep checking the website.

It’s annoying - I’m fairly sure my youngest doesn’t have Covid as she’s following the usual cold pattern, but I don’t know for sure - plus the school won’t want her in coughing over everything.

ChanceChanceChance · 05/09/2020 14:15

What is wrong with people that they can't understand that no one, not the CMO, not the school nurse, not Britain's best mum can tell a cold from Covid by looking at a child, listening to the cough, seeing if it is phlegmy.

If your child has a cold with no cough or temperature or loss of smell/taste, we don't test.

If your child has a cold with a cough or temp or loss of smell/taste, we do test.

Talk of 'pragmatism' and 'commonsense' is just stupidity dressed up in long words.

ChanceChanceChance · 05/09/2020 14:16

We just have to be methodical about this.

Exactly this. The more people piss about the more they disrupt the systems. Just do as you are asked.

Neversayn1 · 05/09/2020 14:21

@ChanceChanceChance

What is wrong with people that they can't understand that no one, not the CMO, not the school nurse, not Britain's best mum can tell a cold from Covid by looking at a child, listening to the cough, seeing if it is phlegmy.

If your child has a cold with no cough or temperature or loss of smell/taste, we don't test.

If your child has a cold with a cough or temp or loss of smell/taste, we do test.

Talk of 'pragmatism' and 'commonsense' is just stupidity dressed up in long words.

This is not true.

Drs actually diagnose Covid even with a negative result sometimes. If a person has certain symptoms they are treated as a COVID patient. They also use chest x rays.

A Covid cough doesn’t NOT sound the same as a general cough all the time.