The Constant Cougher

[daycare]

So we all know the type. Constant coughing, runny nose and whining.
It's not even 7 am yet and I have a child that has only been here for about 10 min and done nothing but this.
Dad just got a new job today is first day and mom works 1.5 hrs away.

Of course when i mention it to dad, he chalks it up to allergies.

Do I let him play it out? (btw) it sounds horrific
Do I call one of the parents and say they need to pick up.

Normally I don't worry so much about colds, but this is constant coughing and I have a special needs child who will be having surgery this Thursday who if she gets sick can't undergo surgery.

What should I do here. Advice

[Christian Mother]

Have you checked his temp? I have one that is always coughing...if his nose is clear and he is coughing a lot but is running and playing like normal I'll keep him. But if the nose is yellow or green, he's whining and not happy here and coughing that makes him gag then I make that call. Also, check his temp. it never fails if they are coughing a lot they start to run one.

[laundrymom]

Has the child been tested or observed for asthma?
I had one here who did this for months. Dr said allergies, colds, just a virus. Mom saw a diff doc due to doc being out sick, girl was dx w/ asthma and is a different kid. Happier, active, just like someone turned on the feel better switch and she is better.

So we all know the type. Constant coughing, runny nose and whining.
It's not even 7 am yet and I have a child that has only been here for about 10 min and done nothing but this.
Dad just got a new job today is first day and mom works 1.5 hrs away.

Of course when i mention it to dad, he chalks it up to allergies.

Do I let him play it out? (btw) it sounds horrific
Do I call one of the parents and say they need to pick up.

Normally I don't worry so much about colds, but this is constant coughing and I have a special needs child who will be having surgery this Thursday who if she gets sick can't undergo surgery.

What should I do here. Advice

[daycare]

Thanks so much for the advice. No temp. But is struggling to catch breath between coughing. He feel asleep. So I'll have to see how it goes.

[Christian Mother]

I'm with you on feeling it out through the day... Continue to check on him here and there while he's napping and make sure he's propped up with a lot of pillows. I noticed that mine would cough during nap time so much that he wouldn't get a good nap in. So I would make sure he was sleeping propped up ...it helped a lot and he was able to get that much needed rest to fight what ever is going on in his body.

[e.j.]

Has the child been tested or observed for asthma?

I was going to ask the same thing. I'm not usually bothered too much by allergies this time of year but ever since spring started, I'm the one around here who has been coughing constantly, wiping a runny nose and whining - and that's with allergy meds! I've also had times when I felt I couldn't catch my breath because the coughing got so bad. I've heard that pollen/allergies have been so much worse this year even for people who don't generally have problems with them.

[wdmmom]

If this happens again, tell DCD that "ALLERGIES" are not a diagnosis/excuse to attend daycare unless the child has visited an allergist and they have diagnosed him with having particular allergies.

Chronic runny nose, coughing are reason to be excluded from daycare. Children can harbor serious infections/illnesses without having a fever.

If he were struggling to breathe, I'd be on the horn calling DCM and she can figure out how to get him picked up and to the doctor.

(I would never work for a family that works an hour and half away! What happens if this kid vomits?! That's an immediate exclusion and I only allow 30 minutes to get him/her out of daycare!)