Child has cough and cold

[GIitterySequinBoobTube]

Hello there
Child went back on Wednesday so been in 3 days.
Now has cough and cold. Assume generic Autumn germs.
We haven't been told what the school expectations are.
Am I meant to keep her off and get her tested. How do I do this?
Thanks in advance

What’s all this about ‘assumptions’? You shouldn’t ‘assume’ anything.
You get one of the three symptoms, you isolate along with your household and get tested and if it comes back negative you can then crack on.
There really is nothing more to it!

Yes, You could say that it is perhaps statistically unlikely to be Covid, but you should ‘assume’ autumn germs and carry on as normal

*shouldnt assume that should say

@Nixen

What an absolute joke this autumn / winter is going to be. People running off for a test whenever little Kayla has the sniffles. Meanwhile not enough tests for people who might actually have the disease. Use some common sense ffs!

Please do not advocate people use common sense. These threads (and many others) are proving that common sense just ain’t that common!

We’re doomed aren’t we? The government’s messaging has been utterly incompetent if people (who appear otherwise to be intelligent and literate) on this thread still don’t know the three symptoms, and the fact that the household should quarantine and the person with one or more of the symptoms should get a test.

I assume from the reactions on here that we have all been very fortunate thus far and everyone else has had to be tested at least once already

Nope. Around me, few people have ever been tested. I only know of one tbh.

WiseUpJanetWeiss
I think the government's handling of this pandemic has been one fuckup after another, but I'm not sure we can say their messaging is incompetent when it's fairly clear everywhere that if you get one of the listed symptoms then you get a test.

@Nixen

What an absolute joke this autumn / winter is going to be. People running off for a test whenever little Kayla has the sniffles. Meanwhile not enough tests for people who might actually have the disease. Use some common sense ffs!

Common sense is to go on the government website and follow the steps as well as their advice.

What is NOT common sense to decide it’s a common cold wo any test just ‘because’ it doesn’t look that bad/different.

Btw @Nixen, if you can reliably diagnosed someone with Covid just by looking at them, I think you need to contact the NHS ASAP. You will be of great help (no need to wait for a test/the result of a test/lower cost....)

@mrsed1987 yes you do bloody need a test jesus christ no wonder it spreading when people are deciding its just this or just that!!

ethel Not carrying on as normal ffs - am currently on phone queue#2, 20 minutes wait so far, to try to get a drive-thru test tomorrow thx and a test is already in the post. DD has a snotty nose and no temperature - it is statistically likely to be a first week back cough-cold but she will not be in until that is verified. Given my school do not have a mask policy - was told NOT to bring one - and that two other schools on here seemingly are using a common-sense directive, you are judging unfairly. I have been out twice since March (asthma) so am risk-averse.

Why do people judge each other? People are doing what they think is best. The poster just wanted advice on if she should get her child tested. The government are a joke!

Why can't people just read the actual advice? (As attached...)

My daughter has a cold. Symptoms started before she came home from school on Friday, I gave it overnight to see how it developed, Saturday morning it was very clearly a cold, but just in case I double checked all of the information from the NHS, and went through the NHS111 symptom checker to confirm – and the result was that she does not need to isolate and does not need a test.

Anybody who is unsure for any reason should just follow those steps. I took a screenshot of the 111 results so I have time stamped evidence just in case – and of course if symptoms change in her or anyone else in the house I will follow the same process.

@mammaaof

No. I don't. He had a 1 hour session at nursery. A little boy there had a streaming nose, as little children do.

This was the first time since 17th March my lo had been within 2m of anyone aside from me and my husband and 1 day later he also had a streaming nose.

He has not had a temperature or a continuous cough (just an occasional one in the night when he wakes up).

Not getting my child tested when he doesn't have any of the 3 main symptoms is not why it's spreading..

I am so annoyed that schools aren’t giving out this advice as standard to parents. Tbf though even when parents are being given the rules to get a test if their child displays the symptoms, many parents think it doesn’t apply to them. I’m a childminder, I’ve had one parent last week tell me that although her child had a temperature, calpol had brought it down and now they just had a cold so they would bring her as normal. These are educated people, who think the rules don’t apply to them.

They did get a test and were right, it wasn’t covid, but Unfortunately No one can guarantee that without the test. I am also concerned that as we move further in to ‘cold’ season, parents are going to tire very quickly of having to organise tests and taking a day off work and will be less and less truthful about temperatures and illnesses, especially as they are indicating upset stomachs may be a common symptom in young children.

I just posted on a similar thread that I find it frustrating that people are sending their children in with illness. I would have thought Covid had changed people’s approach to illness and just thinking it’s fine to pass germs around,

@Kitcat47 yes you're so right. I feel covid-19 has brought out the very worst in people. In Scotland we've been told off for too many DCs getting tests since the schools have gone back, but if your DC has a cough then what are you supposed to do ?

Pretty sure DSs cough has been caused by having to wear sweaty/wet gym clothes all day long as per the new policy, but again what can I do ?

I thought children's coronavirus symptoms usually start vomiting/ sickness?

If we have all been social distancing and hand washing etc how could there be lots of colds in circulation? Undoubtedly other viruses are still in circulation but you really should test. Treat as Covid-19 until you know otherwise.

@Northernsoullover

If we have all been social distancing and hand washing etc how could there be lots of colds in circulation? Undoubtedly other viruses are still in circulation but you really should test. Treat as Covid-19 until you know otherwise.

There's very little distancing OR handwashing in schools.

Update for anyone interested:
Helpline took half an hour.
Have an appointment for tomorrow.
Child is still coughing now (but nose is bunged up too). No fever.
Have sent confirmation of appointment and apologies to staff.
I am hoping that I will be judged to have done right than wrong. God help attendance officers this year

Sorry glittery I wasn’t clear - it was another poster referring to assumptions and I can see that you’re not ‘carrying on as normal’
My apologies.

Sorry ethel am probably too sensitive right now, ignore me. The thing is, I am intelligent usually and cough aside, DD is bright-eyed and bushy tailed. I am pleased I did check with you all on here as I am not sure that I would have got the test so fast had I slept on it. The helpline had me on wait for ages. I can't be alone in this - I wonder how many have been off for tests in Scotland already. As long as the teachers realise that I am trying to protect them then all will be well. (There was much cynicism wrt the self-isolating in March - where low-attending families all rang up saying SI. Mine have good attendance so I am hoping that it is seen as me doing the right thing rather than criticised for it).

@mrsed1987 in your first post you said he has a cough. He needs a test. What is wrong with you.. Do you have magic covid powers. If you were in my nursery i would be complaining about your child being in spreading germs and you dont care enough to get a test done. Mother of the year award in the post.

No worries glittery I’m sure this is a stressful time for you & your family. Hope all turns out well

@GIitterySequinBoobTube

Don't worry about attendance. Mine have had two bouts of absence so far this term (one 3 day, one 1 day) on two consecutive weeks whilst waiting for testing (once each) and results. School have been very supportive and keen for parents to do exactly that if their children are displaying symptoms.

Especially in Scotland, where we don't fine for non-attendance, you'll not be thought badly of for following the rules. Just drop the school a quick email now to say you're waiting on test results, so they know to mark your DC absent correctly.