Pink Eye

[DCMomOf3]

I have never heard of a Dr. not treating pink eye. It's a miserable thing to have and can be cleared up so easily with drops. Plus, if it's the viral or bacterial variety (vs. the one caused by allergies) then it is HIGHLY contagious! I wouldn't allow a child with pink eye to return unless they've been treated.

I'm with laundrymom...they need a new Dr.!

I have heard of it actually. My sisters doctor is the same way. I do not allow kids with pink eye or any symptoms of it. Doesn't it take 7-10 days for it to clear even if it's bacterial? That to me means a week+ home if they don't treat it.

[Unregistered]

Most pink eye is viral - antibiotics don't do any good

There's a major misconception floating around on this thread. Most pink eye cases, especially in preschoolers, are viral. Antibiotics drops do absolutely nothing for those cases. The antibiotics only help bacterial infections. That is why doctors won't always treat. The doctors are acting appropriately here.

Also, viral pink eye typically clears up on its own in a few days. So you may think that the antibiotic treatments are making a difference, but in reality the disease may just be running its normal course.

If a kid seems miserable with pink eye, he or she may also have an ear infection -- they commonly come together. Pink eye is not always miserable -- none have my kids have been particularly bothered by it. One time I got it as an adult (before I had kids), it was very unpleasant. But the cases I have caught from the kids have been barely noticeable. No unpleasantness other that waking up crusty.

Mother of three

[lvt77]

anything that is this contagious, I always require a doc note allowing the child back into care..some parents will lie about it....

dont feel bad. you are doing what you have to, to keep everyone else safe and healthy/

[nannyde]

anything that is this contagious, I always require a doc note allowing the child back into care..some parents will lie about it....

dont feel bad. you are doing what you have to, to keep everyone else safe and healthy/

I don't do "return to day care" notes from doctors. Just diagnosis notes and I'll take it from there.

[lvt77]

why is this? Is this because if the doc says yes but they are still cranky and so forth you feel you have to allow them to stay???

[nannyde]

why is this? Is this because if the doc says yes but they are still cranky and so forth you feel you have to allow them to stay???

Are you asking me this?

[lvt77]

yes sorry....I guess maybe I should explained better....

[nannyde]

yes sorry....I guess maybe I should explained better....

I don't need the doctors opinion of whether or not the child can be in care. They couldn't possibly know my populaton of kids the child is returning to. All I need is a diagnosis and then I can decide if the child can return to my group of kids, to me, my son, and my staff assistant.

There's a LOT of pressure on Doctors to give return statements. They receive a lot of the "history" of the illness from the parents who have a vested interest in getting the note. This can lead to parents declaring a history that isn't complete, minimized, or is an all out lie. It's best for me to just get a diagnosis and then follow my policies regarding exclusion.

[Keri'sKids]

Good for you nannyde!

[lvt77]

Wow so happy I ran into this posting of yours about the difference of return note verses a diagnosis. Very very smart on your behalf. So I guess maybe I should change my PHB. Mine currently states doc return note and that I have the last say if they are comfortable enough to return to care.... I think that if a parent has a note from a doc saying that they are well enough then there should be no reason why I can't take them back correct?? I guess becuase I have not had this issue yet, I didn't know how to deal with this situation......

[Crystal]

I'm the same as NannyDe. The doc doesn't dictate who may or may not be in care. He can tell me what they have, but only I know if I can provide the extra care and attention the child needs,know wether or not there are children in my care with compromised immune systems, requiring sick children to stay away, etc.

And, pink-eye....a doctor's note would mean nothing to me. I am the one who has to clean like crazy, make sure the child with pink eye doesn't rub the eye then touch her friends, etc. to prevent the spread. I don't have time for that. No meds, no return until ALL symptoms have subsided. With meds, they can return after 24 hours, but I ask parents to keep them for 48, just in case.

[lvt77]

perfect timing I ran into you two..I am in the process of rewriting my PHB. Can you tell me how you worded this in your PHB?.

thanks so much guys.........")

[Crystal]

• If your child requires medical attention due to illness, a note from the doctor will be required for child to return to daycare. Please note that although your child’s pediatrician may state that child is allowed to return to care, provider reserves the right to refuse care based on provider’s assessment of child’s needs and the provider’s ability to adequately care for all of the children in care.

[lvt77]

I am going to adopt this phrasing.... Awesome... Thank you!!

[Michael]

I know we wrote about this before in length. Here are some other pick eye threads: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=pink+eye