Can I Do Anything About This?

[Shell]

In general, my dc kids are a pretty healthy bunch. Over the past 3 months, I have added a dcg (2 ) and dcg (infant). Since their enrollment, one dcg has been consistently sick with what I think is a cold- clear runny nose, cough- but dcm and I have been back and forth on whether it's allergies or a cold. Dcm doesn't really acknowledge that this has been an ongoing issue- even when I mention that this has been going on for some time now. I say it's been a steady 3 months, but there have been small breaks in between colds. The other kids will catch one of these colds, will fight it, and then they are ok.
Anyway, last week dcg was dropped off, and dcm said she felt hot. I took
her temp, and she was fine, and acting fine. Later in the day, she felt warm to the touch, but we had been outside for a long time, and it was one of those ridiculously humid and sweaty days. I didn't have time to take her temp before she got picked up, and it was a little chaotic, so I didn't think much of it- big mistake. The next day, ds wakes up with a high fever. I call dcg's mom and tell her about fever, and she is shocked, and says she won't bring dcg in since she doesn't want her to get sick! I didn't want to play the blame game here, but I am certain if I had taken her fever at the end of the day, it would have been high. Anyway, of course, every.single. kid gets this fever/cold , including new dcg and infant, and extended family members- this was a nasty one

I understand that it's part of being in group daycare to expect that kids will catch colds from one another- you could catch the same things at the grocery store, from an older sibling, etc. It's in my phb to exclude for fevers, rashes, diarrhea, etc, but the common cold is not included (nor am I sure it should be).
I know some of you require a trip to the doctor if sickness/allergies continue for more than 2 weeks or so. I suspect she has some combination of allergies/cold, but when the other kids catch it- some parts have to be a virus. My question is: when do you start counting the official start of a cold- isn't it kind of hard to define?, and is it unreasonable for me to require a note for the common cold? Objectively, I feel that kids get colds, and it is what it is. Subjectively, I feel like 3 months is a long time to keep fingers crossed, hoping everyone avoids dcg's latest round of cold, virus, etc.
Thanks for any advice.

[Cradle2crayons]

Sounds like dcg could be a carrier. Sometimes she has a cold, sometimes she doesn't. But regardless, she's spreading it around.

My pediatrician has us take a tiny tiny bit of neosporin and twirl it around both nostrils every day for three days... And we do that twice a year.

It solved the problem here.

Maybe have mom check with pediatrician.

[coolconfidentme]

Curious, does the child's enrollment forms say she has allergies? I had a DCP say her child had allergies. I check his enrollment & medical statement. Both did NOT indicate allergies. I solved the problem by asking the parent to update her medical information with a physician stating the allergies. She took him to the doctor & was put on meds for a virus..., no allergies.

[Shell]

Curious, does the child's enrollment forms say she has allergies? I had a DCP say her child had allergies. I check his enrollment & medical statement. Both did NOT indicate allergies. I solved the problem by asking the parent to update her medical information with a physician stating the allergies. She took him to the doctor & was put on meds for a virus..., no allergies.

Very good point about getting the physician to make note of it. My state's enrollment form has a place for this in the part the parent fills out -dcm didn't write anything in the column. Physician basically wrote a generic "in good health " on his portion of the form. I can't see dcm making an appointment unless it was mandatory.

[coolconfidentme]

Very good point about getting the physician to make note of it. My state's enrollment form has a place for this in the part the parent fills out -dcm didn't write anything in the column. Physician basically wrote a generic "in good health " on his portion of the form. I can't see dcm making an appointment unless it was mandatory.

She is saying allergies.., hold her to it.

[daycarediva]

I require a special form if a child is on medications, RX & OTC, even if they aren't given here, so allergy medication would be included in this. I have a section in my PHB that states a child cannot attend with cold/flu symptoms lasting more than 5 days without a drs note stating that they aren't contagious.

I have photocopied my daily health check reports and adverse health check documentation forms, the section of my PHB that states the '5 day rule' and highlighted it all and given it to the parent with a simple explanation.

Honestly, we do WAY more documenting than a parent does, so most of my parents are like "No way it's been that long!" and I have the forms that say "Yes, it has been."

I did this 5 day rule because my dcb (started May of last year) had a CONTINUOUS cold/runny nose/cough/scratchy throat and on again/off again low grade fever for 3 MONTHS. NOTHING I could exclude over, but gross all the same. I finally told Mom that I was going to exclude him unless she brought a note. Went to the pediatrician, he had a sinus infection. 10 days of antibiotics later, he was STILL exhibiting the same symptoms. Had Mom bring him back to the doctors, dx with allergies, within 24 hours of him starting medications, he was FINE. I can also tell when they miss a single dose, and will call Mom to either pick up or come administer.

[Shell]

I have a section in my PHB that states a child cannot attend with cold/flu symptoms lasting more than 5 days without a drs note stating that they aren't contagious.

I have photocopied my daily health check reports and adverse health check documentation forms, the section of my PHB that states the '5 day rule' and highlighted it all and given it to the parent with a simple explanation. .

Thank you for the advice. I think I am going to adopt a similar policy, and put it in the phb for September.