Child Constatly sick

[Tinyones1981]

What do I do when a child is constantly sick, or seems to be sick the sympotms of coughing, green runny nose?

[nschildcare]

Send home.

I exclude for symptoms. vomiting would have this kid go home. I also will only accept kids with mild colds. New or worsening coughs are reason for me to exclude a child.

If a symptom continues past 2 weeks, I have requested a doctor's note to state what is going on and a plan of action.

[Fun&care]

You didn't specify exactly how long the child has been like this but either way, the way you described symptoms I would exclude him from care and request a doctors note before coming back.The wheezing would especially concern me.

[mickyc]

I would request that the parents take him to see a doctor. A mild cold should just be a clear runny nose but when it turns green then there is something else going on.

Also yes if the child vomits no matter what the reason they go home!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Agree with the others....explain to the parents that you are concerned that this isn't a mild cold anymore and for the well being of the other children you would appreciate a doctor's note saying that it isn't contagious. I have had to do this before when a child was sick too long and the parents kept denying that he was ill.

Vomiting is an instant pick up around here.

[Crayola kiddies]

sounds like a lung or sinus infection or pneumonia

[Tinyones1981]

Thank you for all your feedback, I just wanted a bit of help to lead me in the right direction as I am new.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I would just approach it with the main focus being on your concern for the little guy and for the well being of the other children. State that it is important to you to keep them all healthy and you would feel better if he was checked out by a doctor because green snot is usually a sign of an infection. If they don't want to give him meds that is by all means their choice but he should at least be home until he is well so he is not passing on whatever he has.

I'm not sure how to change your name, sorry! Probably an option in your profile though?

[Momof4]

A virus lasts a week to 10 days. If this child has been sick for 2 weeks, then he probably caught one virus on top of another due to a low immune system, poor guy. It does suck, but it happens all the time. Vomit on the other hand or diarrhea means exclusion from daycare, I don't care the reason. Don't be afraid to enforce that rule. Green mucous can mean bacterial infection so ears, throat, chest can all be in danger. I agree that you should be asking the parents to get it checked by a doctor.

[Busy ECE mommy]

Wheezing and vomitting are all reasons that I exclude from care and child must be symptom free to return. Vomitting will resolve at some point, but wheezing would scare me. What if that child was in respiratory distress during nap time and you missed it? That needs to be addressed ASAP.

[mom-in-alberta]

The wheezing, and the cough to the point of vomiting, would be my cut-off point. As a mom to an asthmatic, the wheeze is not something to mess with. Having said that- is he wheezing or does he have raspy breathing? If you have seen an asthma attack, you will know the difference.
Not sure how long he has been in care, but when a child first starts daycare (or school, etc) they contract 7-10 viruses in the first year, on average. Given that a virus will last between 5 and 14 days, it seems like they are ALWAYS sick. This should get better as the immune system strengthens.

[playfelt]

I was thinking along the asthma/allergy line too. Surprised the doctor isn't concerned about the breathing if it is chronic.

[Secondtimearound]

Ugh !!! I feel your pain !! Your not in Alberta are you ? I let go of dcf for the same thing !! It was 6 months of excuses ! I get single moms have to work but it was horrible ! Then I finally caught pneumonia from them , as well as my family and assistant !!
I say to follow the advice of the other ladies !! Start sending them home no matter what !