When a Virus Effects School Attendance

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Hit By A Virus – Including gifted products!

The past week our family was hit with a virus. This is not the first time. In fact, we had the flu after Christmas and this is our third virus in less than 6 weeks.

It’s the school holidays and so it’s good and bad timing. Sylvia can rest at home and recover and we can spend quality time together as we get better.

I have to say, we were given lots of opportunities to get out of the house this week. We had invites galore but we simply couldn’t go. I certainly can’t. I am currently housebound due to my chronic health conditions, however I was hoping to send Sylvia and her dad off on some adventures this half term but it wasn’t meant to be.

A Virus in School Holidays

I hoped Sylvia and John could have attended the Jorvik Viking Festival in York. That would have been awesome…and we had invites to visit a few museums. Again, this would have been fun. However this term we are staying home with Yoda and Casper our Bichon dogs and that’s not so bad!

Missing School Due to an Allergy

So Sylvia has been unwell a few times in the past month. In fact, she has been suffering from a “unknown allergy”. When she gets bitten by a certain insect or bug she becomes very unwell as do I.

I went to the GP as my arm swelled up but we had no idea what caused this. I was told by the Nurse to avoid going in the garden but I haven’t been in the garden and am not sure what this was.

We couldn’t work it out but twice this happened and twice Sylvia was too unwell for school too. We must have the same allergy, however I did not take Sylvia to the doctor just to be told the same thing I was told. Instead I gave her liquid Piriton as she recovered.

When a Virus Stops School Attendance

Then Sylvia had a major virus which caused her to vomit and have severe headaches. She also had typical cold symptoms and a fever for a few days which we kept under control with Calpol.

My daughter ended up having 5 days off from school. So, in total Sylvia missed 7 days last term. This is not normal but I couldn’t exactly send a vomiting child with a fever to school could I?

Despite this, I have received two letters from the school attendance officer. They have serious concerns and we have to provide “Evidence” prescriptions and doctors notes in order for Sylvia’s absences to be authorised.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Doctor?

The thing is, I don’t generally take my child to the Doctor for a fever or virus. Do You? The NHS is struggling enough and when I was a child and we got sick, we rested at home, had medication to keep our fever down, ate chicken soup, crackers and drank lemonade until the virus passed.

We purchased calpol and antihistimine from the supermarket and didn’t waste GP time when we knew how to help our child to recover. Had Sylvia been suffering with an infection it would be different but it was an allergy and a virus, so we have no evidence in the form of doctors attendance and taking a child to the doctor just to have a virus “recorded” is a waste of precious NHS money.

Chilling at Home With a Virus

So Sylvia is on the mend and she’s been home for a few days now. we have watched a few movies together, Abominable, and A Dog’s Journey.

We’ve also enjoyed some tasty snacks from Ten Acre. These are Vegan friendly, Gluten and Dairy free crisps and popcorn and Sylvia has enjoyed munching on these whilst watching movies both on the tv and the ipad.

So, we shall spend the rest of the week at home resting up and recovering so Sylvia is fit and well for school. I will be writing to the school a response regarding their concerns for Sylvia’s attendance and we will enjoy more movies this week as we snack and munch on more popcorn and treats from Ten Acre.

I’m not 100% sure how I will respond to school but I may just explain the situation and see what they say.

Angela

About Angela Milnes

Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in Preschool and Kindergarten teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and is passionate about kids crafts and having fun as a family. Angela has also taught cooking skills and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Inspiration Edit. Follow her on Pinterest!

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8 Comments

  1. Awww Angela it’s the last thing you need I’d just tell them exactly what had happened provide them with your receipts and just explain that you virus’s have can’t be treated with antibiotics and you would of just be told to stay at home to avoid spreading the virus, give it calpol for temp and provide her with plenty of fluids and bland foods if stopped vomiting such as chicken soup, If need be use the recent outbreak of the corona virus as an example if need be those affected are told to self isolate and keep hydrated. Again with an allergy you can feel rubbish but you are right you would be given antihistamines and sent on your way so much better to just cut the middle man out it makes perfect sense to us normal folk not sure why it doesn’t make sense to the teacher? I’m glad you’ve managed to get some movies in and are enjoying your vegan friendly pop corns while watching movies. I cant wait to see a abominable it looks fab. Sorry your not well enough to enjoy your days out but as you say it’s better you all get better there will be other opportunities. Xxx

  2. Oh no! I hope you all feel better soon.
    We got a letter off the school last week saying if a child is off school for more than 3 days they need a doctors note or evidence of prescriptions which I think is ridiculous. What a waste of the doctors time. Good luck with dealing with the school x

  3. Lots of Hug to you and Sylvia. I hope you feel better. If the school doesn’t think Sylvia isn’t authorized to be out of school, then let her go to school with the flu.
    Really a bad cos other children will be at risk but at least the school can believe you and you won’t have to waste NHS resources.
    win-win for everyone, I think

  4. I can’t believe the school are being so ridiculous. I’m so sorry Sylvia has been so poorly. I hope she’s feeling better soon. I hate that schools are harsh when children have genuine illnesses, but those who just casually play truant is another story x

    1. Yes, it’s a tricky situation and getting the balance right must be hard for the school but it is a pain in the bum for us. Sylvia actually had another allergic reaction yesterday and was unwell again….. but we sent her to school as she was okay in the morning. I am going to get some allergy tests done though because she has some allergy and we can’t work out what it is!

  5. I’m the same as you. I don’t take my kids to the GP unless they need a prescription. If I can buy something over the counter for under £10, I do that rather than take up a GP appointment. I think if everyone else did the same, there would be more appointments available when we need them. I haven’t been at the mercy of the school attendance officer though (yet), so can’t offer any advice. Fingers crossed Siliva has a healthier Spring 🙂

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