Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

DS shivering and shaking

51 replies

Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:20

DS has been told it’s in his best interest to attend lessons for exam prep for a BTEC exam therefore has been having lessons mixing with Year 12&13’s all week and will be next week. He is doing an A-level too but even though the exams for that were months ahead they’ve been cancelled. GCSE students and A-level students can stay home.

It has seemed so unfair that BTEC students have to attend and take the exam at the height of a pandemic in January if their school/college deems so.

Today he’s come home sneezing shaking and had to go and lay down saying his body aches so much. No temp or cough.

What should I do? Should I inform school? One of his tutors is off as she has covid so he has missed teaching time.

Department of Education has said the ‘student can decide’ but this is not the case for him and many others who have been told they must attend and that they’ll make it ‘as safe as possible’.

I’m so confused!

OP posts:
Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:22

His tutor is very ill but the last time DS saw her was before Christmas.

OP posts:
TopBants · 07/01/2021 18:24

Say he has a cough and get a COVID test?

Haworthia · 07/01/2021 18:25

Check his temp again. Shivering, shaking and aches sounds like he’s feverish to me.

I think he needs a test.

MollyButton · 07/01/2021 18:26

Could be Covid, he needs to not go in and get tested, and you need to inform school.

It is also not certain yet that BTecs etc will go ahead - they were much further through the courses last year when lockdown happened and there is a lot of pressure. Of course before Gove Btecs didn't have exams.

MushMonster · 07/01/2021 18:26

Poor him.
Shivering and shaking without a fever? That is unusual. Keep checking his temperature. It may raise later on.
I would notify school of his symptoms.

WankPuffins · 07/01/2021 18:26

It's so crazy how everything is different.

Ds btec exams have been cancelled. They have has remote leaning since September. They were supposed to have one day a week face to face but with self isolating students and teachers, bicycles bursting he's only had 4 days in since last March!

That's a college though.

I'd inform school just because if he's ill he shouldn't be going in anyway, regardless of covid.

TopBants · 07/01/2021 18:27

Oh, and take his temperature orally- the armpit and forehead ones often come out a bit lower, in my experience.

WankPuffins · 07/01/2021 18:27

Bubbles, not bicycles

Fembot123 · 07/01/2021 18:30

I hope he’s ok OP, I agree with PP doesn’t sound like he’s well enough to go in Covid or not

Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:34

@MollyButton normally id agree and thought Williamson would cancel them but no, he complicated matters further but shrugging his responsibility so colleges could decide. Very cowardly.

He’s fallen asleep! Will check his temperature as soon as he wakes up.

If he contracts covid I’m not sure if I could challenge the school on forcing him in, legally.

He’s had an utterly awful week waiting to hear what’s happening.

Now no one knows how the grading will be dealt with, with some students able to postpone it and others having to sit it this week and next week. Such a confusing and disappointing outcome from the government.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:37

Thanks all, he’s expected in tomorrow all day and I know this will make him even more anxious and upset.

OP posts:
Haworthia · 07/01/2021 18:47

He’s ill, so he shouldn’t go in.

Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:50

I know this will sound ridiculous but they may think we’re pulling a fast one to avoid the exams because they’ve made it compulsory.

Would it be reasonable to ask to have him tested tomorrow? Or am I being ridiculous.

OP posts:
WankPuffins · 07/01/2021 18:51

@Tillsforthrills I totally empathise. We are in the same boat with Ds. It's frustrating and worrying.

Haworthia · 07/01/2021 18:53

Not unreasonable. Just do it.

Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:55

@WankPuffins

He’s also had to commute.

They’ve caused so much stress and anxiety for BTEC students, it’s unforgivable. The double standard for them is hard to take.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 18:57

@Haworthia. Thank you.

He’s upset at not going in because they were so highly commended today for ‘soldiering on’. Honestly why they have to expose themselves and their for the sake of an exam is beyond me.

OP posts:
WankPuffins · 07/01/2021 18:57

@Tillsforthrills it really is.

And Ds college is 45 mins away and the college bus isn't running. We found out the day before his exam it wasn't on and I was stressing over him getting there.

WankPuffins · 07/01/2021 18:58

And Btec courses have always been seen as substandard to A levels. It's horrible.

itispersonal · 07/01/2021 18:58

I didn't have a temperature/ cough was just really tired and had shivers and shakes, this was Tuesday. Wednesday morning had covid test and lost of smell wasn't until Thursday. The test came back positive.

I would get son tested and put on website he has a main symptom.

Choconuttolata · 07/01/2021 18:59

Sneezing and shivering is how Covid started in this house, I would order him a test.

Original poster
Tillsforthrills · 07/01/2021 19:02

Thank you for that all. I think so too as he never falls asleep at this time and seems lethargic.

@WankPuffins Have you tried to ask if he can avoid going due to his travelling? It’s worth a try. The DfE does state this in a tweet that they can decide.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 07/01/2021 19:03

Surely he should be self isolating?

WankPuffins · 07/01/2021 19:04

Oh they aren't in now for the foreseeable. They can't say when they will be back now.

Pumpkintopf · 07/01/2021 19:06

DfE gave tweeted that no one will be disadvantaged if they can't sit these exams haven't they? I agree would get him tested.