When to send home for "Flu Symptoms"

[GdBSN]

Good Morning All, I'm back from Spring Break. I can honestly say it was physically painful getting up to my alarm this morning.

Anyway, I had a FF come in saying she had the flu over Spring Break. When asked, she said it started the day after we got out, that was 9 days ago. Came in this morning c/o still having the flu, no temp, no coughing, no other symptoms. Mind you, this student has come in c/o every disease she can think of. She has been put on a "no absence contract" with the school.

My question is, "Do you only send a student home when they have fever?"

[100kids, BSN, RN]

That she had the flu 9 days ago, and the sad puppy dog look. This is a FF, her and her brother have come up with excuse in the book of why they should go home. When she came in this morning, she had no symptoms, no fever.

I would have sent her back to class. Obviously her mother (or whomever is home with her in the am) felt she was well enough to be in school so even though she may be tired from recovering from the flu she should give it her best shot and try to make it through the day. I would let her know it may take awhile for her to fully feel like herself again. FF definitely get less sympathy from me and I'm honest with them about that too.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

In absence of symptoms and fever, she stays in school. I am pretty much done giving the FF the benefit of the doubt at this point.

Yesterday was a BAD day of the "First MONDAY back from spring break!".. had my criers all day.

[SnowyJ, RN]

My usual fall back answer is, "A cold is not a reason to go home from school, but it may be a reason to stay home from school. But that's between you and whoever is home with you in the morning."

My mantra.

The kids want me to bypass a parent who is well aware that the child has a runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, etc. Should have stayed home, but not sick enough to warrant being sent home. Now, a persistent toe curling cough? Buh bye.

[bell1962]

This!

I probably would have laughed if a FF told me they had the flu with no symptoms, but I'm fairly jaded already. I agree with OldDude though. A fever is an automatic out. Everything else is dependent on my assessment.

My usual fall back answer is, "A cold is not a reason to go home from school, but it may be a reason to stay home from school. But that's between you and whoever is home with you in the morning."