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Original poster

Health issues and schools

9 replies

BudaBabe · 28/02/2006 20:52

A friend and her children have just been diagnosed with and treated for pinworm and giardia. She spoke to the school nurse about alerting parents to the fact that these are illnesses (for want of a better word) are about but school nurse not keen to do so.

Obv worms very common in children but giardia less so.

I am "class rep" so friend has asked me to speak to other parents and school. My feeling is that I would want to know and have the right to know if something contagious is doing the rounds. School nurse's reason for not alerting parents (which they have done in the past for chicken pox, impetigo etc) is that he gets a huge backlash from the parents about the amount of sickness and that some children have been taken out of the school as a result.

Mumsnet jury view points please!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BudaBabe · 28/02/2006 21:01

OK so it;s boring but I still need the jury!!!!

Off to make a cuppa - can I have some views when I come back please!!!

OP posts:
Blandmum · 28/02/2006 21:04

40% of infant/primary age kids have pin worms at some time. they are so common as to be imposible to 'notify' i would have thought

Original poster
BudaBabe · 28/02/2006 21:21

Oh thank you MB! Was feeling unloved!

Agree about the worms but giardia is a diff matter I think. Although apparetnly it is also quite common.

Part of my problem is that my friend is a bit of a worrier and a stirrer - if you are not totally on her side you are against her. Though I'd see what the view here was before I do anything/

It is a small school though so not difficult to send notes home and they do about chicken pox and impetigo.

OP posts:
Original poster
BudaBabe · 01/03/2006 06:57

Anyone any other thoughts? Please???

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 01/03/2006 07:05

Well, I don't expect the school to notify me about everything going round, not even chicken pox tbh.

carla · 01/03/2006 07:11

Note on the class noticeboard? You will have done your bit, without being too much. Just a thought. BTW, I've never heard of either of those things - might even alert parents to the fact that the actually exist. What are they?

Original poster
BudaBabe · 01/03/2006 08:14

Thanks for thoughts - WWB - I never expected school to notify about stuff either but they do - or at least have done in the past - it's a private international school and quite small so it's not exactly difficult - 450 pupils max from age 2 to 18.

Carla - pin worm is another name for thread worm - very common.

Giardia is an intestinal parasite usually picked up from contaminated water. We are in Hungary so it is not unusual although first I have heard of it here.

Will do an e-mail to head of primary and see what happens!

OP posts:
Original poster
BudaBabe · 01/03/2006 08:15

Oops - WWW NOT WWB!! Sorry - didn't get my full nights sleep last night!

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hannahsaunt · 01/03/2006 08:33

Where there has been a child in class with something infectious like nits (not really infectious but you know what I mean) or hand/foot/mouth letters have been sent home to alert to preventative measures and how to treat if found. Only been class wide (despite being in small schools) and info has been helpful. Not done for chicken pox but would expect something for any of the major notifiables - measles etc. Unless something is particularly contagious I wouldn't expect anything. HTH

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