Illness and visiting a special care baby unit

[Aimsmum]

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I wouldn't risk it, if you still have a cough you can still pass germs on.

My mum had a very compromised immune system last Christmas due to chemo. I was worried about going home as I had one of those lingering colds. She asked her doctor and he reckonned that after a week your body has overcome the virus and the remaining symptoms are just the result of your body fighting it.

However, I would contact the hospital and take advice from them tbh.

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don't know the medical definition of when a cough can be harmful to others but having had a dc in a SBCU for 8 weeks, I wouldn't be too happy with a vistor to another child coughing all the time. As a parent you are in such a fragile state anyway and are overly cautious about the health of your LO. However, if everyone involved including the doctors are OK about it then as you say as long as you cough into a tissue and then wash your hands straight away (making it obvious so that everyone can see!) the you should probably be OK

if the baby had an infection and died how would you feel? Babies in special care often pick up infections and some do die. Even if your friend wants you to visit it isn't fair to the other families with children to visit if you are coughing. You may not actually be infectious but you will be adding an extra bit of worry to families who can do without it.

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