Dear MaMas
It is going to be a beautiful Sunday today where we live with temperature around 72F. We have a birthday invitation for my son's preschool classmates which is to be at a park. My boy was sick, but no fever any more for the past 1.5 days, just coughing more in the morning as he wakes up, but occasionally during the day. He has taken an antibiotic for the past three days. Yesterday he was left at grandma's house and played with his cousins indoor fine. But now I am faced with a small dilemma: is it too early for him to go to a freind's birthday party this afternoon at an outdoor park where there are playgrounds and a lot of physical activities? Should I take him but monitor so that he will not exaust himself too much, or should I just have him take a rest at home?
Thanks very much for your wisdome in advance!
If he actually had the flu (not just a cold) I would not take him. Not right to endanger other children. I do hope his cousins are vaccinated.Children can be infectious for up to 10 days after the start of symptoms.
antibiotics are not given for the flu, so I wonder why he's on them.
& if you let him play with his cousins indoors, then why are you questioning taking him to the party? I don't get the difference!
It's ok to expose the cousins, but not the friends?
It's ok to play indoors at Gma's, but not outside with friends?
It's ok to be cooped inside with comfortable temps, but not okay to breathe fresh air in beautiful spring weather...72 is very nice! We keep our home at 67F!
Not really getting your dilemma! Take him for one hour & adjust that timing if necessary.
1 day fever free is the protocol for returning to regular activities. I would bring him. Why was he on antibiotics?
Please don't take him. What is he taking antibiotics for, and how long is the course? If it's the actual flu - he doesn't need antibiotics. If he's only been fever free for 1.5 days and is still coughing in the morning, he's not fully recovered. Running around at the park will tire him out and he might get sick again. Plus, he's probably still contagious if he's still on antibiotics - you'd hate to expose other people's kids, right?
No, don't take him. Did he have the actual influenza? Because he can still be contagious and that's not fair to the other children he could infect. He's also still immune-compromised and will tire easily, and could easily relapse.
It's good to get fresh air, and let him be outside for a while at his own house and even air out your house of germs. But don't bring him to this party. There will be many more parties he can attend in the future. There isn't any great need or urgency to attend this one.
I may not be the popular vote, but here goes:
While he may have been on antibiotics for 3 days and fever free for 1.5 days, he can still relapse, especially after having spent time playing with his cousins. His body is still recouperating and still needs rest. My concern would be that your son would over do it at the park before he even showed signs of it. I would consider keeping him home, not only because of what I just said, but his fever could come back too. Also, that cough is still worrisome.
I think you should say home, but that's just my opinion.
Well, was it a full blown flu, or was it just a cold? It sounds like it was more of a cold, because those who have the flu usually don't feel good enough to do anything for a week or so. Sounds like more of a cold, and if it is, I'd think he was fine to go to a party party.
Let him go ... and while you and kiddo are at the park have someone at home open up the windows and let the fresh (as fresh as you can get in LA anyway) air in.
Definitely keep an eye on him for any return of fever, fatigue, etc. But I'm sure he'll be fine and will enjoy the time outside :)
He sounds fine to me - no endangering other kids geez.
If he hasn't had any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea in over 24 hours, and he feels up to going, I think it's fine to send him. Those are the conditions for returning to school, so if he's well enough for school, I think he's well enough for the park/party with friends. You should definitely stick around to make sure he doesn't get too tired or start feeling bad.
Sounds like he is ready to re-enter the world. Go and have fun!
If he feels up to it, I say go.
He's more contagious before you even knew he was sick. After he's sick... well, that means the virus was beaten off.
If he has not vomited and no fever for 24 hours, he's clear. He may still have a runny nose but clean hands and tissues should fix that. Just keep an eye on him.
I think the issue is not your son's health but whether he is still contagious and going to affect the other children at the party. You might consider calling the mother who is having the party and ask her what she thinks.
