Tamiflu???

[GdBSN, RN]

So this week I have had many students returning to school after testing positive for the flu stating they have taken Tamiflu, and have been told by their doctor that they are able to return to school. These students are coming to the clinic c/o flu symptoms, but with no temp (masked by the meds I'm sure). Tamiflu can relieve the symptoms of the flu, but you still have the flu. Have any of you had this where the physician is telling students to return to school after just a few days?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

In my limited research (because I had the same question!) I did not find anything that indicated Tamiflu would mask febrile illness. Most kids are also coming back on Tylenol (if I'm lucky because then they spike a fever and I can send them home).

Also I was told at this point that some providers are not testing for flu but treating based on symptoms. Not a big fan of that, but it is what it is. So it's possible the kid doesn't have the flu and is feeling bad perhaps because of the antiviral?

If it's really the flu, at least this year's version, most of mine are still feeling bad after day seven. I told a parent that the doctor's note said the kid could return but the way the kid was feeling indicated he needed to be home. Can I "make" them go home? I'm persuasive. Sitting in my clinic all day isn't the same thing as being in school, and if a teacher sent the student stating the student appears to be too ill to function, that's always useful.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

In my limited research (because I had the same question!) I did not find anything that indicated Tamiflu would mask febrile illness. Most kids are also coming back on Tylenol (if I'm lucky because then they spike a fever and I can send them home).

Also I was told at this point that some providers are not testing for flu but treating based on symptoms. Not a big fan of that, but it is what it is. So it's possible the kid doesn't have the flu and is feeling bad perhaps because of the antiviral?

If it's really the flu, at least this year's version, most of mine are still feeling bad after day seven. I told a parent that the doctor's note said the kid could return but the way the kid was feeling indicated he needed to be home. Can I "make" them go home? I'm persuasive. Sitting in my clinic all day isn't the same thing as being in school, and if a teacher sent the student stating the student appears to be too ill to function, that's always useful.

Same. I've had kids out for at 5-7 school days on average with the flu this year and the day they transition back is a tough one.

[Cattz, ADN]

The Manual for Missouri that I go by says "Exclude those with flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever reducing medications. They should stay home even if they are using anitviral drugs".

[GmaPearl BSN RN]

I had this today. Mom put a mask on the child and sent him to school. She said he had tested positive for flu over the weekend and had been on Tamiflu for several days and the mask was just because of his cough so we could take it off... Kid has less than stellar respiratory hygiene. Thank goodness he had not also been dosed with Tylenol and temp was way too hight for early am. Poor kid could barely keep his eyes open. After some explaining about how long it takes to recover even with anti-viral medication, mom took him home for today and tomorrow too.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I had this today. Mom put a mask on the child and sent him to school. QUOTE]

:no:

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I had student diagnosed 3 days ago with a letter from the doctor saying student could return today! Kid was running a fever into the early AM and it broke, so technically no fever in my office. But kid was miserable and achy and in my office in tears 4 minutes after dad dropped her off.

I called dad and made him pick her right back up.