A helpful flowchart to assist when deciding whether to send your DC to school if they have cold symptoms.

[EloiseTheFirst]

We're all wondering what to do if our DC pick up a cold. Hopefully this flowchart will help you decide.

Good but mild cold should be removed it's confusing to some people

I think this chart just makes things worse as most children have covid with mild nothingy symptoms anyway.

It adds to confusion and makes it more likely positive kids will be sent in with no test.

Where did you get this flowchart from op? It seems like sensible guidance to me.

That’s really helpful, Eloise, thanks.

I’ve been trying to work out if I need to keep DD5 off school on Monday. She started with a runny nose this morning, and seems to have a cold. Is slightly off her food and very snotty but no cough (yet - will no doubt follow as they always do with a cold).

The only concern is she has a slightly raised temperature. It’s 37.8. So from that chart, she’s ok unless her temp rises to 38, or she gets a cough (inevitable following a cold).

I’m dreading having to test her. We’ll get one shot at it, and then no further chances, either at that time or if we have to do another one in the future. She’ll go apeshit. Trouble is, I can’t keep her off school for a fortnight repeatedly either.

It misses out the fact that your child could have raging Covid, but if you would have kept them off before, apparently you don’t need to consider testing them!

Who has produced this flowchart?