Should I keep my son off school as little sister ill?

[ChuckGarabedian]

My 3 year old daughter seems to have picked up hand, foot and mouth disease, although thankfully it isn’t too severe on her. She finished nursery for Christmas on Thursday (16th) so will just be at home recovering.

My son (5) is due to finish school half day on Wednesday, but I’m thinking it’s probably best to keep him off from tomorrow, for what little he’ll miss on the last two and a half days before Christmas holidays. He doesn’t appear to be ill, but I’m bearing in mind how contagious HF&M disease is and he’s been in close contact with his little sister.

WWYD?

At his stage, the last 2.5 days pre Christmas are the best fun days of term. I wouldn’t keep him off

Yes that’s what’s making me uncertain, I don’t want him to miss out. I’m just not sure what the guidance is; any Googling I’ve done just returns advice to do with the one who’s actually ill, ie his little sister.

Most children pick up hand foot and mouth before they’re five and (I seem to remember when DS was hospitalised with it at 2, the doctor telling me) that they don’t tend to become very ill with it again.

My memory could be wrong- it was a hellish time of back to back illness, but I wouldn’t be too worried about sending him in, I don’t think?

You could always call school first thing Monday and ask if they have a policy/preference?

@VaguelyInteresting that’s a good idea about asking the school, thanks.