How do you know if it's the flu?

coasterqueen wrote: I know this sounds like a funny question, but either we've had it and not known it or we really haven't experienced the flu in our house, ever. I mean, I do believe DH had it last year - fever, aches, pains, sweats, chills, etc for a good 3-5 days and he was actually down for the count, never like that before. So I considered that the flu. But other than that the kids have had chest colds, fevers, but never really amount to anything.

Megan came down with a 101.9 fever on Friday, spiked up to 103.4 overnight, then back to 101.9 all day on Saturday and yesterday it yo-yo'ed between normal and 99. The ONLY time she looked miserable and even a touch lethargic was Friday night when it spiked higher, other than that that kid was bouncing off walls all weekend long. She also had cough and congestion/sneezing snottiness, but nothing that bothered her at all.

I know a friend told me on Friday that her doc said don't bring them in for the flu/swine flu unless they have a 103 or higher temp that doesn't go away with motrin/tylenol.

I dunno, I feel like with how everyone seems to describe the flu, we must have never had it. Stomach flu, yes.

luvmykids replied: You guys may have had it, and only had a mild case. Or, you may be right and you've never had it. Rhinovirus is another common virus that goes around during flu season and brings a fever with it, along with who knows how many other viruses that can mimic the flu but be a milder case.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, that's why I guess I'm confused, because everyone says how horrible the flu is, but either it's not for us or we've NEVER had it.

MommyToAshley replied: It affects everyone differently-- I don't think they know why some kids have milder cases of it than others. Right before the media started talking about the swine flu, Rod and I were sicker than we'd ever been in our lives. We were really bad for about a week, and it took us nearly two weeks to get back to normal. I am pretty sure we had some sort of flu, maybe the swine flu, I guess we will never know. Ashley was sick for one day, not nearly like we were, and then she was back to her normal self the next day.

The thing that is scary about this flu is that it is affecting children (and pregnant women) more so than adults. Kids without any other health issues are dying from it. That's what scares me about it. I know people say it is media hype, but those are people without a seriously sick child.

Ashley seldom gets sick. She's never even had an antibiotic. But, I still preech to her every day that she needs to make sure she washes her hands before snack and lunch at school -- and I know she washes them at home. I tell her to not sit next to anyone that's coughing or anyone that has been sick recently. Maybe I am over-reacting, but I am not willing to take any chances as the risks are too high. I'd rather be a little over-cautious.

Glad to hear Megan is feelign better and whatever she had was just a mild case.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, we do that too, but unfortunately when over 1/2 of your class is out sick with either flu or stomach flu.....you are bound to get something. Unfortunately.

Megan has always been my child who we worry about the most when getting sick because she gets a high fever with almost every little tiny sickness (sniffle) she gets. She used to have monthly fevers up until about a year ago - the docs couldn't explain why.

I guess I mainly was asking because in some sort of way I feel stupid that I don't understand what the flu really is, kwim? Along with that, I'm completely GRATEFUL we haven't had to really know what it's like in comparison to what others describe it as. Ryan and I are always asking is it the flu? What is the flu actually? Ya know, it just seems weird for us. I've not seen the girls have anything like DH had last year, and that I guess would consider the flu. Now with my asthma any kind of chest/head cold and I'm down for the count for days anyways because I can't get over it as quickly.

DVFlyer replied: The only real way to tell is with a lab test.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, not going to take my kids in for every fever or sniffle. My doc would disown me. He thinks I'm paranoid as it is when it comes to Megan's other health issues.

MommyToAshley replied: I get what you are saying. I was always a litle confused on what differentiates a head/chest cold and the flu. I guess the fever and body aches? Not sure?

coasterqueen replied:
That's my interpretation of it. You know so then the question is they all can be so close, why do they only have a vax for one? From the material I've read on Web MD, it appears she had the flu. Now, if that is what is considered the flu, then I'm not sure why to get the vax, really, at least for us, which is why we don't. But like DH said today at lunch, one day we might just get the flu so bad we might regret not getting the vax. I guess time will tell. Right now I'm comfortable with our decisions.

mom21kid2dogs replied: The flu we are seeing in our area is a generally milder strain (in both seasonal and H1N1). In our health dept staffings we are told that is what they are seeing with it nationwide as well. While the flu is widespread, most people are kicking it (without antivirals) in around 3-5 days. Typically, flu has a 7-10 day window. The flu in our are is definately upper respiratory in nature. It appears to be part of the issue with kids with UR issues going bad fast. There are also some people with vomiting but it's mostly, fever (going up and down for several days), chills, aches, headache and coughing. Even when they kick the fever, the cough lasts for a week or so. Lots of kids actually sound almost crouppy.

DVFlyer replied:
From my understanding, they are all different strains therefore there isn't one Vaccine for every type of flu. Every year, a new strain of flu comes out necessitating a new form of the vaccine.

If the pharmaceutical industry knows which strain is the current one, they can develop a vaccine and distribute it.

Otherwise, getting a flu shot for "last year's" flu does you no good.

luvmykids replied:
That is exactly the flu going around here, very mild and quick recovery time (except me, who had whatever it was I had for three weeks ). Even kids with confirmed H1N1 (before they stopped testing) were well recovered in the same amount of time.

Kylie had the fever for two days, still has the cough but it's much improved. Colt has had the cough, no fever, for about four days. Who knows who has had what, I'm just glad it all seems to be mild this year

redchief replied: Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, occurs in about 98% of the US population at least once a year. Influenza occurs in between 5% and 20% of the population each year. So, you could statistically go your entire life without contracting influenza. Unfortunately "flu-like symptoms" and symptoms of gastroenteritis are very similar. Both are caused by a virus, and the areas of the body affected are similar, so it's not unusual for folks to be confused. Rotavirus is a classified form of gastroenteritis. The origin of gastroenteritis can often be pinpointed, where influenza, especially during pandemic periods, is difficult. Then there's RSV and the common cold, which also occur more frequently during "flu" season.

Gastroenteritis rarely includes a sore throat, so that's one possible difference. Of course strep causes a horrible sore throat and that's a bacterial infection. But RSV is often accompanied by a sore throat. So what do you do?

Basically all of the respiratory illnesses are treated the same way. Rest, plenty of fluids, and distance from others are basically how most people handle it. Caregivers should monitor, especially children and the elderly for dehydration and high fever, otherwise, normally a doctor's visit isn't necessary and the body will kill the virus by itself. Caregivers should wash their hands frequently and especially after handling eating utensils and anything else the ill might have inadvertently placed bodily fluids upon. Very sick may need an antiviral medication, but otherwise the body's own immune system will beat the virus in about a week.

Kentuckychick replied: I had meant to post this here earlier and apparently posted it in the wrong thread on accident...

From what I've best understood, it's very normal for responses to the swine flu to be all over the board. Some people will even catch the swine flu and never show any symptoms at all. So it's very possible that the cough and sore muscles someone had for a day or two, was the same illness that completely knocked another person out for weeks.

I was reading a study the other day about why some people aren't nearly as effected by the flu as others and why some people seem to be immune to the flu and it said that it isn't necessarily because they don't catch the flu, but because of their immune system response.

For some reason some people's immune systems react very violently to the flu, and others do not. Those whose immune systems react violently actually suffer worse effects (the extreme fevers, inflammation of the lungs, etc...) than those whose immune systems just putter along and fight the virus and they seem to be better in a few days.

It was somewhat confusing, but at the same time, made sense. Like the more your body worked to fight the illness, the more exhausted your system got and the harder it was to recover.

jcc64 replied: We all had the same virus that Karen describes in the OP. That's what appears to be going around in my neck of the woods (upstate NY). It either is, or isn't, the swine flu--we'll never know w/o a lab test. I took Corey in, mainly out of some irrational parental guilt obligation (b/c I knew there isn't anything they could do) and predictably, the dr offered us nothing. My gf took her dd (Corey's bff, who was a few days behind Corey in the virus) to a different dr, and was given a script for Tamiflu (I suspect b/c she's a p-i-t-a and the dr just wanted to shut her up and get her out of there). Needless to say, she wasn't able to find it anywhere, and I'm glad, b/c she didn't need it in the first place.
People need to chill out. People die from the flu every year: this isn't unprecedented or even particularly severe: very, very few kids are contracting the more serious version (with secondary respiratory infections) nor do they need any medical care. Even the 3 or 4 kids in my classes that did contract pneumonia recovered and were back in class after 10 days or so w/o even a lingering cough. Fwi, as has been said here many times already, this is a virus, and there is nothing your dr can do about a virus in the first place. By the time you're in a dr's office, chances are it's past the point that tamiflu would do any good anyway.
This is the media,the pharmaceutical companies, and the gov't, whipping people into a frenzy for a variety of reasons, very few of which have anything to do with your child's best interests.

coasterqueen replied: Well, it must be the flu Megan has, because she was fine all day Sunday after having fever Friday and Saturday. So I sent her to school yesterday. Well she woke up this morning with a major croupy cough. So she's home with me today. The school about gave me the riot act when I told them she was staying home today, like I should have kept her home yesterday. Um, she was fever free for MORE than 24 hours and was bouncing around like a normal happy healthy child. The only thing she had was some sniffles and a very MINOR cough. So she's home today and will be home tomorrow. We'll see how she is on Thursday. They basically told me she better be 100% symptom free before sending her back. Um, that could be weeks if this cough holds on. Still today she's pretty energetic. Wish I could feel that way when I'm sick.

BAC'sMom replied: Our schools are being the same way Karen. If the kids have fever or are throwing up they don’t want to see them at school. I am just wondering what this is going to do to the attendance policy. We are only allowed 5 absences per semester after that absences are unexcused.

luvmykids replied:
Our school flat does not even excuse an absence without a dr note which is INSANE....I know better than to take them to the dr for no reason and drs don't even want you coming in unless you're a severe case.

Kentuckychick replied:
I know schools here have already revamped their absence policy a bit. If your child has the flu they want them out untill they are completely fever free and they seem to be well aware that this can take upwards of 5-7 days to happen, so a lot of kids are missing a full week. We've also had a lot of schools shut down for a full week or a good chunk of a week already to attempt to head off the spread of the illness.

Hopefully, since we're already to November, if a child gets the flu at this point and misses 4-5 days they won't have to miss anymore than that for the rest of the semester, but I know our systems have said they will be more lenient on absences.

Of course... every parent should know that technically if a child has a valid doctor's note or medical reason, a school cannot count an absence as unexcused. It's illeagal. That 5 day limit is really there to deter parents from having their children miss school for reasons they shouldn't be (vacations, day trips, laziness... lol).

mom21kid2dogs replied:
They are so adamant about not sending sick kids here that they have modified the absence policy, done away with dr excuses and waived most "non essential" homework. One does wonder why we have non essential homework, though

luvmykids replied:
Great point

I'm hoping ours waives needing a dr note, I know they require it to prevent parents like Rachel mentioned but really, I am not taking my kids to a dr office when there isn't reason to. And, I'm especially not paying for a dr visit just to get a note

coasterqueen replied: I have no clue what it will do to our policy. Thankfully Megan is just in Pre-K so they aren't really strict about anything as far as her. But both girls already missed 6 days of school for vacation, will miss 3 days in December for work event/vacation and that doesn't include any sick days.

IMO they better NOT complain about too many missed absences if they expect me to keep her home until every sniffle and cough is gone.

MommyToAshley replied: I'm probably in the minority here, but I agree with the school policy about keeping kids home until they are completely well. Sending a sick child to school only spreads it to others and continues the cycle. Plus, if the child does not feel well, then they are likely not to do as well in school anyways. It may be inconvenient, and kids may miss a few more days than normal, but I think it is the right thing to do. Our school doesn't require a doctore's note for every absence, just if there are over so many in a quarter or the year.

Like I said before, this is my biggest pet peeve. Ashley was at dance class last night, and there was a girl that was obviously sick. I went up to Ashley and whispered in her ear to move and not stand next to the girl or to touch her.... she moved to the other end of hte line. I am sure it was obvious to the other parents what I did, but I really don't care. She shouldn't have been there.

BAC'sMom replied: I have not heard of our schools changing the absence policy yet. But I did find out several weeks ago that our schools would not be closed until student’s absences are at 15%. Since our distinct gets so PISSY about fever, runny noses etc. I am cautious about sending my kids to school when they ANY cold/flu symptoms. But lets face it some people have allergies and just because your coughing or your sneezing doesn’t mean you have SWINE FLU! I just worry that HERE at our district it could become a problem. Last year I had a problem at the school with my oldest son. They had marked him absence for 1/2 a day because he went to a Cross Country Meet. It took forever to get that cleared up. They also get pissy if you make dentist/dr. appointments during school hours.

coasterqueen replied:
I think you have me confused. I'm all for keeping adhering to the school sick policy. The policy is to keep your child home for 24 hour fever free. You can't keep your child home for every little sniffle/cough - especially if it is extremely minor. My child had NO fever when she went to school yesterday and was more than 24 hours fever free. She had sniffles and a cough, which she's had numerous other times. Her teacher even had that on Friday when we were there at school. The school doesn't USUALLY expect that either.

And one thing you need to remember is there are LOTS of people out there, including kids, that have allergies, and allergies mimic cold like symptoms. Every time I hear someone say "oh my gosh, that person at the store was coughing and sneezing - now we all are going to get sick" - remember they could have allergies. The other day I was coughing while waiting to get a gc for my co-worker. I covered my mouth when I coughed, but the guy made a comment of whether I had swine flu or not. I wanted to say "no idiot, it's my asthma!". I get so tired of people being so quick to judge someone and whether they have sickness or not. I think it teaches kids wrong too when parents act that way like everyone has a sickness - they might have allergies, asthma, etc and you might not even know it. There are times my allergies/asthma gets so bad you'd think I had a cold or a chest cold.

So if Ashley had a cough/sniffles for 1 week, 2 weeks, you'd keep her home?

coasterqueen replied:
Seriously! I swear with my allergies/asthma people give me the dirtiest looks in stores like I have the plague - stop being so paranoid.

MommyToAshley replied:
If I didn't know you personally to kow that you had allergies, and I saw you in the store sniffling and coughing, I wouldn't give you a dirty look, but I sure wouldn't stand behind or near you either. Nothing personal, just being cautious.

MommyToAshley replied:
yes.. especially under the current circumstances where they say you are still contagious.

People take their kids out of school for a week for vacation (guilty here), but are afraid to have them miss a couple of days when they are sick. Sorry, I don't mean to sound judgemental, but I don't get it.

coasterqueen replied:
What are the current circumstances?

MommyToAshley replied:
From the CDC website (At the bottom): http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:q5r7tF...n&ct=clnk&gl=us

And, as I said before, I am being even more cautious because they don't know why it is affecting some kids so severely with no underlying health issues. I'd rather be over-catious and offend someone than have a kid die for the swine flu. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is just how I feel. Sorry if offends you and your parenting style, but that is not my intentions.

coasterqueen replied:
Never said I was afraid to keep her out of school and have NO issues with doing so. I don't have to miss work when Megan has even the slightest sniffle. Our DCP gladly takes her as our kids are the only ones she has and she isn't afraid to get sick herself. So I could have gone to work today and do when she does have just a cough or sniffles, but decided to stay home today. So I'm not sure what is not to get? It's not people being afraid to keep them home - or at least not for me, it's the fact that coughs/sniffles can go on for WEEKS. I really don't want my children missing that much school, for their sake. And I do have problems taking my kids out of school for vacation, but do anyways, but that has nothing to do with keeping them home for sick. I mean, come on, it's not some stereotype that out of the home working parents are always freaked out about being off of work for sick kids. I have the leniest job ever and could be off for weeks, so could Ryan, but that's not the point. If I kept my child home for EVERY SNIFFLE/COUGH they'd be home 1/4 if not more of the school year. Not just for sickness but for allergies, too. What sense does that make?

ETA: And seriously does every working person (who works outside the home) stay home for every sniffle/cough? If we are going to have those rules for kids they should be for adults too. I think if one worked out of the home - working for someone else, you may have a different opinion on that last one - that is, if you want to keep a job.

MommyToAshley replied: Karen, you make no sense. Your original post was complaining that the school wanted you to keep her home. And, I never said it had to do with your work. I just said some parents (in general) don't like to keep their kids home sick and send them to school anyways. It's a pet peeve of mine because then it just continues to spread.

MommyToAshley replied:
I did work for someone else for 10 years before starting my own business, and I was quite successful. And, I would probably think that someone that goes to work sick shouldn't be there either. But, I am even more over-protective when it comes to my child.

Again, we will have to agree to disagree.

coasterqueen replied:
No, I was complaining that they wanted me to keep her home until every cough/sniffle is gone. I decided myself to keep her home today, myself.

I wasn't sure why you were bringing your pet peeve into my OP unless you were including me in your "in general".

coasterqueen replied: About the work reference, that is a common reference people make to those who work outside the home, like we are afraid to miss work, so I took it that way. Sorry for that. Normal comment I've gotten WOH.

MommyToAshley replied:
I merely mentioned it when I was saying that I agree with the school policy. I wish more places, including other activities, would enforce the same policy.

As for the WOH policy, I have no idea whether most parents work at home or not, and don't really care as long as they don't send their kid to school sick. As evident in the link I provided, the swine flu can be contagious for a week or longer after being infected. So, if the school wants to make sure every symptom is gone to protect the other kids, then yes, I agree with them.

You have your opinion and I have mine, they differ -- so we will just agree to disagree.

coasterqueen replied:
That's fine, but they should adhere to that policy for their staff as well. Megan's teacher in case was there hacking and coughing on Friday when over 1/2 of her class was out. I saw her again today and she still sounded the same way. Teachers don't adhere to the same policy they like to enforce. I'm not putting much faith in a policy they don't enforce for everyone. I can guaranty at a lot of schools it's this way. At least hearing from all the teachers in our family and friends of mine.

jcc64 replied: I have had a residual cough from my own go-round with this virus/flu for almost a month now. Sometimes, my mother has a cough for months. The flu is supposedly only infectious when a fever is present, though I admit I am no dr. And in many professions, if you were to be out for over a month b/c of a cough, your behind would be out the door. Money's money, deadline's are deadlines. It's nice to be overly cautious, but it isn't realistic to expect everyone to batten down the hatches until every observable symptom is completely gone. Furthermore, in many cases, people are contagious before they themselves show symptoms. What to do in that case?
I think if your child rarely gets ill, and you have the luxury of taking off for every sniffle, lucky you. But that's not a reality many people enjoy.

MommyToAshley replied:
I agree, teachers can spread it as easily as kids. And, if Ashley's teacher were to come to school sick, you can sure bet I would be down at the office throwing a fit. And, I never ever speak out about policies at the school, but this I would.

coasterqueen replied:
This is what I'm saying, although the money issue isn't an issue for me now, and I'm grateful for that. But really, you are sick before you know it - there is that incubation (is that the word, lol) time so it doesn't matter how many people stay home with sniffles/cough - you can STILL get sick.

luvmykids replied: I have kids who have frequent coughs and sniffles....some due to allergies, some due to childhood asthma we thought had been outgrown, sometimes due to actually being sick.

When they're not at 100% we skip things that are optional (practice, parties, etc). Missing school is kind of a day by day basis. Definitely no school with a fever, the other symptoms though I have to just try to use my best judgement not only for the sake of my child but the others at their school.

Macie has had a low grade fever and will be missing her third day of school for it tomorrow. However, she's been bouncing off the walls, acting like she feels fine, which as her mom and knowing her, tells me in spite of the fever, whatever she has isn't hitting hard. That's something I pay attention to, so even if she has some lingering cough, I'll send her back when there's no fever for 24 hours.

My point is just that I think we all do what we feel is best, I'm sure some moms would keep theirs home when I don't and I'm sure I keep mine home when still others would send theirs...but I don't think the majority of us do it out of carelessness or disregard for others.

jcc64 replied:

This is what I'm saying. The money issue IS an issue for a lot of people who just can't afford to take 2-3 wks to wait for every observable symptom to disappear. I'm not saying it's right or wrong--it's just reality. Most people get a maximum of 4 sick days per year--end of story. The bank doesn't want to hear that you can't pay your mortgage b/c you wanted to be a "responsible parent." So while I understand the resentment towards parents that appear to be unconsciously and selfishly sending their kids back to school before they're completely symptom free, I think a little compassion for the no-win situation they may be in is in order as well.

PrairieMom replied: The thing that gets me is that its not just the flu. Its germs in general. If your kid has yellow snot coming down their face, and a congested cough, for petes sake, keep them home. Period. You know as a mother if your child is sick, even if its just a cold. It used to drive me completely insane when we were in kindermusik and mom's would bring their kids in that way. Its a 40 minute play group. It isn't that important, keep your kid home and quit infecting mine.
School is a different story, It is way more important, I just think that people need to use their best judgment.

coasterqueen replied:
I completely agree, but along with that when they use their judgment they also judge others unfairly.

I always find it funny how we can judge people for some things but not for others.

MommyToAshley replied:
If you look at it that way, then you also have to have compassion for the other three kids' parents that now have to take off work because someone sent their kid to school sick. Maybe one of those is a single parent and can't even afford one day off work. And, let's not forget the business that is now short those three people because someone sent their kid to school sick, and so on, and so on. I realize it's inconvenient and makes things harder and it sucks when you have to miss work, but I think that the health of our children should be our first consideration in making these decisions.

I agree with Tara that it is common sense. I have a child with allergies, and I can tell when it is allergies or something more. But, I can't blame the school for being overly cautious right now when the flu can be contagious for up to a week after showing symptoms. I know you can be contagious before you show symptoms and there is nothing anyone can do about that. But, that doesn't mean you throw all caution to the wind and take unnecessary risks when spreading it can be minimized.

I'm also not saying that we barricade ourselves in our home, or live every moment in fear of the flu. I'm simply saying a little prevention goes a long way and should be taken seriously.

coasterqueen replied: You might have a child with allergies, but how bad? I mean, seriously, when my allergies/asthma gets bad you'd think I had the flu - you can ask my husband that one. But I'm not going to hole myself up in my house the rest of my life because of a "disease" I have that can't make anyone else sick. And I think it's really harsh to judge poeple thinking they are "obviously sick" when you really don't know. My little cousin has severe asthma/allergies, worse than mine - I'm sure she'd get judged poorly if you saw her too. I feel sorry for any kids that have asthma/severe allergies and be judged by people like that and feel they should stay at home until they are "symptom free". Poor life for her.

Now there are people who do send their kids everywhere when they are sick and that's wrong. But I'm not going to judge every person not knowing their circumstance. Again, it's really funny how we can judge people for some things, but not others. Confuses me.

And again, even if ALL kids stay home for weeks and weeks and weeks to be symptom free, your child could still get sick. Why is that so hard to understand? And lots of times when they just have sniffles/cough, your child was already exposed way before that and it's not even contagious at that point.

I teach my kids all they should know about health/hygiene and using common sense, but I'm not going teach them to fear every living person who has a sniffle or cough.

Thank God my kids don't have severe allergies - I'd hate to have people judge them all the time just because I let them go places when they are "obviously sick" to others.

Ah, I don't know why I'm even posting. I'm comfortable with the decisions I make with my children. If they want to look at them weird for the decisions I make or judge them when I make one - more power to them.

MommyToAshley replied:
Again, Ashley has friends with allergies and asthma -- in fact one little girl who is one of Ahsley's best friends has to carry an inhaler with her. It's not contagious, obviously. But if her mother thinks she is coming down with something that is contagious, she will let me know. And, because her daughter is more susceptible to viruses, and the viruses usually turn into bronchitis or something more severe for her daughter, her mother is actually very appreciative when others don't send their sick kids to play with her daughter.

coasterqueen replied: And Dee Dee, I think most of us use that common sense. You seem to think I don't being that I think it's obsurd to keep my child home if she has a cough/sniffle 3 to 4 weeks after having a cold/flu. Obviously that has not been the case with my child, yet, but if she has this cough/sniffle WEEKS after having the flu, I'm sorry, but IMO it would be obsurd to keep them home that many weeks. That's what my SIL who's DD is OCD would classify as a paranoia of germs.

I have kept the kids home from parties, etc for coughs, especially if I know they may have one coming on BUT would I keep them home 4 weeks later after having the flu and they still have a cough. NO! I'd call the parent and let them know, but from what I've seen and experienced in my area, parents aren't that paranoid. We had a playdate a month or so ago and the mom called me to tell me her DD woke up that morning with sniffles. We both agreed that our children was obviously exposed to it and each other the day before at school so we let them have a play date anyways. My kids didn't get sick from her kids. Of course we used common sense as well.

MommyToAshley replied:
I never said you were absurd or that you should keep your child home 3 or 4 weeks. You are reading into what I said. You were upset with the school's policy, and I said I agreed with the school's policy. To my knowledge, your daughter had only been out of school for 1 day and had only been fever free for 24 hours when the school made this statement to you. She had the flu and still had symptoms and the school did not want her to return until she was free of flu symptoms. Sounds reasonable to me, especially since the CDC recommends this as well. If that is being paranoid, then I guess the schools, the CDC, and myself are all OCD and classified as a paranoia of germs. Labels don't bother me.

coasterqueen replied: You know, I don't think you read my original post here about my school policy rant......

"Well, it must be the flu Megan has, because she was fine all day Sunday after having fever Friday and Saturday. So I sent her to school yesterday. Well she woke up this morning with a major croupy cough. So she's home with me today. The school about gave me the riot act when I told them she was staying home today, like I should have kept her home yesterday. Um, she was fever free for MORE than 24 hours and was bouncing around like a normal happy healthy child. The only thing she had was some sniffles and a very MINOR cough. So she's home today and will be home tomorrow. We'll see how she is on Thursday. They basically told me she better be 100% symptom free before sending her back. Um, that could be weeks if this cough holds on. growl.gif Still today she's pretty energetic. Wish I could feel that way when I'm sick. "

First off I didn't know she had the flu until yesterday and when I sent her to school on Monday her fever was gone for more than 24 hours. Monday she was perfectly fine - she didn't have the cough she woke up with on Tuesday morning - hence no reason to keep her home if she is SYMPTOM FREE . I kept her home Tuesday because she had symptoms. My only issue, which you seem to be not understanding is I only had an issue about keeping her home IF she has this cough for SEVERAL WEEKS. Repeat I said "Um, that could be weeks if this cough holds on". What is hard to understand? I think keeping your kid home for weeks later due to a cough that holds on is OBSURD. It can be your pet peeve, that's up to you. I choose not to go that route and you can think whatever you want - judge me, I don't care.

Yes, it's reasonable to keep your kids home adhering to the fever free policy they state - because up until the swine flu issue, schools knew that the regular flu was only contagious (from my understanding) when the fever was there. Now, they think differently - I'm not completely buying it.

You can use the statement that I'm complacent, etc, etc, because it hasn't happened to me. I've known numerous people who have gotten the swine flu - no they have not died. But I know people IRL who have died from things that say it's a one in a million chance it can happen to you - well there are lots of things that can be about anything in daily life - I'm not sitting in my house all day long being scared of the one in a million chance things that can happen to me.

jcc64 replied:

Good point, Dee Dee.

My2Beauties replied: I have to agree with Karen and Jeanne on this one. I have had a cough for over a week now due to sinus drainage and I am not contagious at all, I have green goop coming out of my nose and I'm coughing it up as well (sorry if TMI) but I'm not contagious to anyone. If someone looked at me crazy for coughing at the grocery store I'd likely be a little offended (#1 I cough into my back of my elbow as they say you should) and #2 I am so sick of people thinking a mere cough is going to make them die. When I posted that I was coughing really bad on my FB and myspace pages, people were IM'ing me and inboxing me asking me if I had the swine flu..... The media has people in a serious frenzy over this stuff. Hanna's school called me about 2 weeks ago telling me Hanna had a 99.3 temp (I don't think I've ever taken Hanna's temp and it's been below 99, honestly that kid runs on 99, her body temp is just high) and they said she laid her head down on her desk! I'm sitting here like this at work ...AND??? OK she laid her head down so what? They said that they didn't want to take any chances. When we got her I asked her why she put her head down on her desk and she said simply, I just felt like it. She was running, jumping, bouncing off walls, had no fever whatsoever. In my opnion, they were just being too overly cautious. I understand they have rules and regulations but a 99.3???