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Original poster

Your kid has a cough, what are your school advising?

33 replies

Crunchymum · 17/09/2020 17:09

As obviously people are struggling to get a test.

My 5yo started with a cough Tuesday, it became a continuous cough yesterday. School told me I could still send her sibling in Shock

A friends school (she is a TA) is asking for anyone with any symptoms - even a cold - to stay off until it clears obviously the 3 main symptoms need to be tested

My sister's school (she is a lunch time supervisor) seem to have zero policy in place and she said kids are coughing and sneezing all over the place.

Without the ability to rule it out, my 5yo cough is going to have us all in quarantine for most of winter.

OP posts:
lljkk · 17/09/2020 17:11

no idea, I'll look it up if/when I need to know.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 17/09/2020 17:11

DS started with a cough on Tuesday and they asked us to get him tested before going back to school. We managed to get an appointment and are waiting on results but since then his whole year group have been sent home as a teacher has tested positive 🤦🏻‍♀️

user1485461206 · 17/09/2020 17:31

All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE

Original poster
Crunchymum · 17/09/2020 17:33

@user1485461206

All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE
This seems like a more feasible approach.

For very selfish reasons Shock

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 17/09/2020 17:37

@user1485461206

All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE
Wow - really? That's a brave move. Wonder how the teachers will feel about that when the class is all coughing at them but "no temperature or loss of taste or smell" so they're all there all day spreading whatever.

The whole problem is that the symptoms are just like cold symptoms in the majority. So we need effective & quick testing, not changing the diagnostic criteria to make it harder to get a test.

MarshaBradyo · 17/09/2020 17:39

@user1485461206

All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE
Interesting. Wonder if this was one and is now two across all schools
Original poster
Crunchymum · 17/09/2020 17:39

@user1485461206

All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE
Sorry just to clarify that one symptom can have the child off school (until they recover) but two symptoms and it needs to be a negative test or two weeks isolation?

I certainly wouldn't send mine in with a temp or cough but similarly know that the cough my 5yo has is her "usual" cough and she'll have it on and off until the spring now.

OP posts:
mrscampbellblackagain · 17/09/2020 17:41

My DC had a cough last night, I booked test for this morning at 9.30am and kept other children off school as per school's instructions.

Very much hoping for a negative result so they can all go back in.

I knew if I sent him in with a cough I would have received a call from school to collect him and get him tested.

It is going to be nightmare entering cough/cold season.

mrscampbellblackagain · 17/09/2020 17:44

To clarify it is a persistent cough, he didn't just cough once and I booked a test.

user1485461206 · 17/09/2020 18:49

When they first went back we was told one symptom now it’s changed to two due to a lot of children being off with colds and parents panicking (according to receptionist) no positive cases at the school so far, handful of negatives.

Mippi · 17/09/2020 18:51

It's really going to spread like wildfire if even children with symptoms are allowed to continue going to school. What a mess.

I feel very sorry for teachers.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 17/09/2020 19:20

I suppose the danger is that lack of tests will mean an outbreak could be missed?

Especially in schools that have adopted the two symptom rule.

I'd personally like to see some kind of balance so maybe

  • 1 symptom and child stays off until symptom has cleared.
  • 2 symptoms and child / siblings are off until they can get a negative test or they isolate for the full 14 days.

Increasing it to 2 symptoms would mean less people scrambling for tests as well.

I don't know anyone who gets through the autumn term without their kids having a temperature or a cough? But both together should be tested.

I also think as parents we know. I know my 5yo has "her" cough. I also knew when she was much more poorly (chest infection). I know some parents will take advantage of things and send their kids in knowing they are pretty poorly but the alternative of 2 weeks off for every cough is going to cripple schools?

I have absolutely no issue with testing, but if you don't have the option to test then the guidelines need to be looked at.

OP posts:
KihoBebiluPute · 17/09/2020 19:34

the specific symptom is a new continuous cough. not any old cough. so when your DD gets her normal winter cough then yes you will have to go through the nightmare rigmarole of getting a test. once that has happened and is negative, or your DD has completed 2 weeks of isolation, it is no longer a new continuous cough, it is an old one. no further tests or isolation needed unless there is a material change which could mean a different set of bugs moving in.

Mippi · 17/09/2020 19:36

@Crunchymum honestly I knew my child had a typical snotty cold, so was really shocked when she had a positive test result! Now I know really people don't know.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/09/2020 19:42

Testing guidance hasn't changed though has it? It's if you have any one of the three main symptoms, you must self isolate and test. So how can schools advise otherwise?

When I phoned 111 with a not related to covid issue, because I had a fever I was told I must test.

wherestheotherone · 17/09/2020 19:43

Well I've just booked a test. DC started coughing and I left it for a bit, after hot drinks, meds he's still coughing intermittently but enough to warrant testing. I think he has the beginnings of a cold rather than covid but without a test we can't be sure.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 17/09/2020 19:52

[quote Mippi]**@Crunchymum* honestly I knew* my child had a typical snotty cold, so was really shocked when she had a positive test result! Now I know really people don't know.[/quote]
Point taken, thanks.

My issue is the lack of testing though. We have absolutely zero choice about testing (due to no fault of our own, there are no tests I've been trying for 36h)

Given the testing system is effectively broken where we are, what is the solution?

OP posts:
Kitcat122 · 17/09/2020 20:01

Yes I've been coughed at and sneezed on all week.

IwishIwasyoda · 17/09/2020 20:05

Test, self-isolate (all family) until results come back, can go back into school once school has seen the result

IwishIwasyoda · 17/09/2020 20:06

Just saw update OP, have to self isolate for 14 days if no test.

AlandAnna · 17/09/2020 20:07

Out of 5 of us with a cold, my son has a cough with it. Tested Tuesday, still waiting.... low incidence where I am now. Without mass testing it’s just going to be lots of missed school this winter

ChloeCrocodile · 17/09/2020 20:57

All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE

I wouldn’t believe that for a second. It goes completely against the government guidelines on isolating and testing, and such a major change would be announced publicly. Regardless of what you are told by school, friends or mumsnet - check the guidance yourself! Link below.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

Beebeeboo2 · 17/09/2020 21:47

Whole household has to isolate until negative result if child has cough or fever.

user1485461206 · 18/09/2020 13:27

[quote ChloeCrocodile]All schools in the borough I am in changed guidelines yesterday to any child has to have two symptoms to be off school and requesting a test, apparently this come from PHE

I wouldn’t believe that for a second. It goes completely against the government guidelines on isolating and testing, and such a major change would be announced publicly. Regardless of what you are told by school, friends or mumsnet - check the guidance yourself! Link below.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/[/quote]
I never said I believed the school
I am well aware of all the guidance and would keep my daughter off if she had any of the 3 main symptoms and take her for a test.

CathTurnbull · 18/09/2020 13:43

I collected my youngest this morning from school as he started coughing, he’s booked in for a test this afternoon. A new cough is a symptom so therefore school advised a test which I agree with. Testing is only problematic for a small number who are experiencing difficulties

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