Common Cold

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Hi all,

Would like some advise...We are seeing an increase in the "common cold" this last week. No fever, lots of mucus, and scratchy/sore throat...I do not send kids home with any of these symptoms, and teachers and parents are aghast! My instructions...Good hand washing, lots of fluids, and to blow their nose! Thoughts?

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Specializes in ICU, HIV, Peds (last 30 Yrs<;o).

As a pediatrician I worked for used to say--

"The best thing for a runny nose is a tissue..."

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

If the parents are aghast, they should keep their booger-ey kids home. If they aren't their kids, they should not be prying into the health status of another child.

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My thoughts exactly!

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I even sent an email to all the teachers with this same information and they continue to send kids who have runny noses. I don't quite know what is expected from them sometimes....I wish I had a magic pill that I could give them, but I don't....I also reminded them that the pollen count is already high down here in the south and they will be seeing lots of students in their classes with red eyes, runny nose, sore throats, and coughing. :sarcastic: Also, is anyone else slightly annoyed when they hear adults in the hallway say to kids, "What's wrong? Are you sick?" To me, that just creates a victim-mentality...Maybe the child is just plain tired or sad or annoyed if they are not smiling or lively....

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
Also, is anyone else slightly annoyed when they hear adults in the hallway say to kids, "What's wrong? Are you sick?" To me, that just creates a victim-mentality...Maybe the child is just plain tired or sad or annoyed if they are not smiling or lively....

Yes! A thousand times yes!! Or when they offer them possible diagnoses or ailments before they even get to me. If I had a nickle for everytime i've had a student say Mrs. Whoever says I have strep throat. Woah - the social studies teacher is doing rapid streps in the classroom?

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Specializes in School nursing.

I tell teachers that if I sent home every student with the common cold they would have no students to teach. I tell students that in my next life I will find the cure for the common cold and be a billionaire.

But until then, drink more water, cough into your sleeve, takes some tissues (and throw them out properly), wash your hands often. And go back to class.

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

This annoys me as well. We all get colds and the teachers just keep sending the colds to see me. I don't have cold medicine and cough drops may as well be candy. A few times I have called teachers to seek more information (like, why do you keep sending this kid to me, I told you I can't cure him?) and the teacher says "they would feel better at home".

Wouldn't we all?

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
"they would feel better at home".

Wouldn't we all?

They being the teachers.

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Specializes in School Nurse.
....I also reminded them that the pollen count is already high down here in the south and they will be seeing lots of students in their classes with red eyes, runny nose,

I downloaded a pollen app that shows what is high in my area on that day. I have used it a lot lately when trying to explain runny noses and sore throats.

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It seems the constant change is weather is getting to everyone here. 65 one day, 20 the next-everyone has a runny nose/sore throat and everyone thinks that they should go home for it. I cannot fix a runny nose, sorry kiddo!

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GdBSN said:
Finally2008 said:
....I also reminded them that the pollen count is already high down here in the south and they will be seeing lots of students in their classes with red eyes, runny nose,

I downloaded a pollen app that shows what is high in my area on that day. I have used it a lot lately when trying to explain runny noses and sore throats.

Yep, I have done the same and am now posting the pollen level, along with whether that is low, medium, or high. It is going to be a rough pollen season, I'm afraid.

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