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“One key thing we need to do is keep children at home when they are not feeling well,” notes a local GP this week as children and teachers return to school, some excited, some cautious, but all knowing that it is not ‘back to normal’. .
Schools are working hard to adapt classrooms, structure delivery and collection schedules, and comply with public health guidelines on Covid-19.
As Dr. Elma Gaffney of Livinghealth, Mitchelstown explains: “School is obviously so important to a child’s education and a vital place in which to socialize; the benefits are immense.
“Many, perhaps all, parents will be understandably cautious, but it is important to remember that the vast majority of children who have been infected with Covid-19 have had a very mild illness, so, as far as we know, the risk for a child It is very low.
“However, we must prevent the infection from spreading within schools, to staff, to children’s families, and beyond to the rest of the community.
“One key thing we must do is keep the children home when they are not feeling well. But how bad? What temperature is too high? When should parents call the GP?
“It is not going to be easy, because the symptoms are very similar to those of other infections, but the Irish College of General Practitioners and Pediatricians has provided a useful guide for preschool and primary school children.
WHEN A CHILD SHOULD NOT GO TO SCHOOL AND THEIR PARENTS SHOULD CALL THEIR DOCTOR:
• When they have symptoms that could indicate Covid-19
• Fever of 38 degrees or higher, OR
• A new cough, OR
• Difficulty breathing, OR
• Change or loss of sense of taste or smell.
If the child has any of the above symptoms, he stays home and isolates himself. You should call your GP, who will tell you what to do next, even if you need a free trial.
The rest of the child’s family should also stay home, at least until further advice from the GP.
If your child appears to be seriously ill, it is unlikely to be Covid-19 and more likely to be another illness that needs urgent medical attention. Call your GP or 999 if you are very concerned; we do not want to delay the treatment of other diseases such as meningitis or pneumonia.
Also note:
Children should not go to school if someone in their home is unwell with Covid-19 symptoms; that person should call their GP.
Children should not go to school if they are told that they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
Children should not go to school if they have returned from a country that is not on the green list in the last 14 days.
WHEN A CHILD SHOULD NOT ATTEND SCHOOL AND SHOULD BE SUPERVISED AT HOME BY A PARENT OR CAREGIVER
A child who is mildly ill with a temperature below 38 degrees and who does not have a cough, does not have difficulty breathing, and has a normal sense of taste and smell, should stay home with a parent or caregiver.
Their parents can go to work and the siblings can go to school.
The parent or caregiver should call their GP if the child feels worse.
These kids can go back to school once they’ve been fine for 48 hours
A CHILD CAN GO TO SCHOOL EVEN IF …
If they have a runny nose or sneeze, but are otherwise active and well with a normal temperature (less than 37.5 degrees), no cough or shortness of breath, and no loss or change in taste or smell.
Dr. Catherine Clifford of the Park Clinic in Fermoy explains: “It would be helpful to have a thermometer in every home. The temperatures listed are how warm your child is before taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
“The guidelines are very helpful but they do not cover all scenarios, your own judgment as a parent is very important, and if you feel that your child is very unwell, you should contact your GP by phone immediately.”
She continued, “As parents, we should all look forward to a few more days away from school and work.”
CONTACT WITH ELDERS
Dr. Clifford also advises against allowing a sick child to have contact with people over the age of 70.
“In many families, grandparents previously would have helped when a child was out of school due to illness; right now, I’d be cautious about it. It is not sensible to transmit any infection, but especially something that could turn out to be Covid-19, to an older relative who could become seriously ill. “
Dr. Sura Aldeen explains how helpful it is to take a test.
“We have to err on the side of caution and test anyone with relevant symptoms, even if it may turn out to be another infection. The test lasts a few seconds and is a bit awkward, but most kids cope well. There may be a different testing method for children soon, but we don’t expect a change for a few weeks.
“If a child has symptoms that could indicate Covid-19, but is not tested, this leaves them no other option than 14 days of isolation. Most coughs and fevers will not lead to a Covid-19 diagnosis, so if the test is negative, parents can return to work immediately and the child can return to school once symptom-free. for 48 hours.
“Children don’t need a certificate from a GP to go back to school or daycare. Parents should follow the advice on how long to keep their children out of school that is available on the HSE website. “
AVOID JOINTS AND RUMORS
Dr. Marty Moller of Family First Medical Practice, Fermoy, explains that there are no simple rules about what happens in a school if a child tests positive.
She said: “Many parents wonder if their child should stay home if another child in their class or group tests positive. We expect more guidance on this in the coming days, but were told there will be no general rules; Public Health personnel will evaluate each situation.
“Public Health will contact each parent if a child is classified as a close contact of another child or a staff member who tests positive, so try to avoid guesswork and rumors that could cause a lot of discomfort and increased anxiety.”
And he encouraged everyone in the local area to play their part.
“Children have been lost a lot in the last six months as we are often reminded that the best way to keep schools open is to keep Covid-19 levels low in the community, so let’s help keep kids going. learning and socializing with your friends washing your hands frequently, keep a distance of two meters from others, limit our contacts to a maximum of six people in our homes and gardens, and please contact your GP for a free trial right away if you have any symptoms of Covid-19. “
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