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One of my dc families called in sick yesterday saying the girls had colds so were going to the doctor just go get them checked out. Ok, last night mom calls me to tell me older girl, 4 yo, was fine and just had regular allergy/asthma issues but younger girl, age 2, "was not ok", so would be staying home today. When I asked what the doctor had said, she said they never really gave her a diagnosis, but her ears were red and her lungs didn't sound good plus she was running a little temp. Fast forward to this morning...dad dropped older one at the door and ran out, apologizing he was in a hurry. Not 2 minutes after he left, older girl announces "B has the flu." To which I respond with concern but also follow up with a million questions, only to find out the doctor said she had the flu, and little one was coughing so much yesterday she threw up. I am not concerned about anyone catching it from the little one, as she hasn't been here since last Thurs and was perfectly fine then. But, big sis is here today and has been coughing non-stop and sounds a little hoarse, so I am hoping she isn't t the beginning stages of the same thing and exposing my entire family and other dck to it! And, I am really annoyed that mom wouldn't have told me it was the flu when I asked her last night, unless she was worried she would have to keep dcg home longer. This family is usually a great family with no issues and have only brought the girls sick 1 time in the 4 years they have been here (outside of minor colds, which I allow them to attend with). Wouldn't you think I should know it was the flu, with 3 young children myself and 1 dck who is only 14 months old with a pregnant mom? I just don't understand people! Ok, sorry this was so long, just needed to find out what everyone else thinks of this. Also, does anyone know if the exclusion period is longer if it is the actual flu, or is exclusion driven solely by symptoms and the child can return when the symptoms improve? To top it off, my own ds, age 2, woke up with his eye gooped shut and I have had a throbbing headache for the past 12 hours that will not go away! Not turning out to be good day so far!
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I don't exclude any longer whether or not there is a positive flu test. Mainly because most docs here don't actually do the flu test. Viral is viral and nothing can be done if its viral anyway.
The doc may not have actually done the flu test but may have just diagnosed the flu.
I'd exclude based on symptoms regardless of confirmation of the flu or not. Does the sibling that was dropped off have a fever??
If you weren't told it was "the flu" would you exclude??
If you would have excluded based on symptoms, then that's one thing.
The cruddy part is that with viral by the time you know, everyone is already exposed. I'd base exclusion now on if the child is able to participate in the day or not. But that's just me. -
The one who is here today seems fine, other than the coughing, but because I am not feeling 100% we have kept it low key here today so I am not sure if she would be able to keep up with our normal busy program. I am not that concerned about her. I guess I am more annoyed that mom deliberately didn't tell me it was the flu, and I am concerned they are going to try to dope and drop tomorrow, which is out of character for them, but they have limited sick days available and don't always make the best choices when faced with decisions like that. Plus, as with any virus that enters my home I am also concerned about trying to prevent my own family from catching it!Comment
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Not just you - I totally agree! You can't do anything about viruses except treat and/or exclude based on symptoms, and by the time you realize someone has it everyone has already been exposed.
You may want to bolster your immune system with zinc, echinacea, vitamin C, extra fluids, extra sleep, etc.
Good luck - I hope no one else catches it!Comment
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Not just you - I totally agree! You can't do anything about viruses except treat and/or exclude based on symptoms, and by the time you realize someone has it everyone has already been exposed.
You may want to bolster your immune system with zinc, echinacea, vitamin C, extra fluids, extra sleep, etc.
Good luck - I hope no one else catches it!
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For future reference,
I found an app for my iPad that let's me take my documents, like my parent handbook etc, convert them to plain text, copy and paste them anywhere I want.
When I have a dck that's sick, and I have to require a doctor visit, I fill out the top of the form with the symptoms I see, or mom can fill it out if I haven't seen the sick kid yet, and take this to their doctors and bring it back. It has been very valuable for me. It goes along with my illness policy quite well which says I say when the child returns, not the doctor, and they have to be able to participate in care.
Hopefully this pastes good.
MEDICAL VISIT AND RELEASE
TO BE COMPLETED BY PARENT OR PROVIDER:
Child's name: *________________________________
Date: *______________________________________
Symptoms / Reason for visit: *_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY MD, NP, OR RN.:
Diagnosis: *__________________________________
Is the child contagious: *________________________
Ordered treatment: *____________________________________
Signature of health care provider: *________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY PROVIDER:*
Date ok to return: *____________________________
Actual return to care date: *_____________________
Assessment of health on date of return:*
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Signature of provider: *__________________________________Comment
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