Nursery illnesses are common among nurseries, and the winter weather brings on all sorts of colds and coughs. Taking children outside can help to avoid chesty coughs, although there will almost certainly be some runny noses.
New To Nursery? What Are Nursery Illnesses?
It may seem like your child is getting a new bug or infection every week, but it is a good sign. Your child can build up their immune system and help fight infections in the future. When they are ready to start school, their body will know how to fight bugs, and they will be used to it. Therefore it will help their educational development. It also means they are less likely to get serious infections as adults, for example, chickenpox.
When Should You Keep Your Child Off Nursery?
Many parents can’t afford to have time off work and will send their child to nursery if they think they are only a little bit ill. However, if your child has more than just a cough or cold, then you should keep them at home for a few days. If your child has a fever, flu or contagious disease, then they should not enter the nursery. You would not like it if parents sent their children to nursery ill and your child caught it, so be considerate of other parents and your child more than likely just wants to stay in the comfort of their home.
When Can Your Child Return To Nursery?
The time it takes babies to bounce back from an illness is far shorter than an adult. They could be feeling right as rain within a day. Your baby could be back at nursery after a few days of being ill, but that’s due to the fact the virus spreads before you realise your baby is ill. There are a few circumstances; however, where you should keep your baby at home for longer than a day.
Vomiting And Diarrhoea
If your child had sickness and diarrhoea, it is suggested you keep them away from the nursery setting for at least 48 hours from their last sickness or diarrhoea episode. The norovirus is highly contagious, and even with regular hygiene, nursery illnesses can be spread quickly. It is easily spread in nurseries and therefore it is best to keep your child off until the bug has completely passed.
Childhood Diseases
Nowadays, there is a lot more awareness of how to treat infections and diseases. However, there are a few diseases your baby is likely to have at one point in their childhood. Below are some guidelines on when they can return to the nursery after these: With Chicken Pox children can return to nursery seven days after onset when the spots are scabbed over. With Slapped Cheek Disease children usually go back to nursery two to three days after the fever is over. With a Whooping Cough and Scarlett Fever, your child should stay at home for five days from the start of a course of antibiotics.
