You'd think I'd have an answer to that question by now but I'm not sure what to do with my dd today. Monday she complained of a headache. Tuesday morning, she still had the headache and had a fever of 101. I kept her home and controlled the fever with Motrin. She developed a little cough on Tuesday night and the sniffles on Wednesday morning. She has still had a fever for the last few days but it only shows up after the Motrin wears off. When I called the school to report her absence, the secretary told me they'd like a doctor's note for 3 or more days off. I'm positive this is just a virus and the doctor will tell me to keep her hydrated, etc. Do you really think these symptoms warrant a doctor's visit? I really don't want to sit in the doctor's office for an hour or two this afternoon (if they can get us in) when I'm not feeling well and risk either of us picking up a new illness in the waiting room.

By Amecmom on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 01:58 pm:

I agree that it sounds like a virus. I don't think I'd go rushing off to the doc just yet, either. Is your doc on call over the weekend? More than five days of a low grade fever sounds like doc time to me, though. I'd wait til Saturday and then take her in if necessary.
Don't worry about the school. They can ask, but they can't require it.
Hope she feels better!
Ame

By Annie2 on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 02:20 pm:

I think you are doing the right thing. Unless she develops an infection like her ear, bad sore throat or wheezing, I wouldn't take her to the doctor.

By Jjb on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 02:26 pm:

That's always a tough call. This fall my DS was very sleepy, had a headache and a mild fever (that would go away with Motrin). I was struggling with whether to take him to the doctor- it's such a pain going there. I ended up bringing him in and he was diagnosed with viral meningitis and was hospitalized a few days later. Watch her headache- if the headache and fever are still there tomorrow I'd take her in just to be safe, especially since the weekend is coming. It's always a hard decision especially since 9 out of 10 times it's just a simple virus. I hope she's feeling better!

By Jackie on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 03:17 pm:

Its so hard to tell isnt it? I know last year I took Faith to the dr twice for them to tell me its just a virus/cold. At my drs office, if its not an ear infection, and if throat looks ok, no medicine is given. We are then told to let it run its course.
Faith can have a cold linger up to 14 days, we have just learned that the hard way.
Last month, myself, Faith, and my son all had colds. Faiths lasted the longest.
Last week my 7 yr old daughter said she was not feeling good on Friday. I gave her some Tylenol before school and she was good to go. I picked her up Friday and she was crying. She never cries. I asked her what was wrong, she said she didnt feel good and wanted to go to sleep. My 7 yr NEVER sais that. I gave her some Motrin, and she took a nap, and said her throat felt better and so did she.Next morning, she said her throat hurt a bit, gave her motrin, and she was as wild as ever. I took her and her friend to the movies, they had popcorn, drinks etc.. not one complaint. Around 5 she started moaning about her throat, the motrin and or tylenol was not cutting it. Around 9 pm I couldnt take the moaning and brought her to Patient First, and sure enough she had strep.
My point..you just never know.

By Tink on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 05:33 pm:

Well, I'm going to keep an eye on her but her temp is down to normal right now without Motrin. She hasn't been complaining of anything really bothering her. The headache left on Monday and she's just had the fever, sniffles and a slight cough since then. I can take her to see her pediatrician on Saturday, if necessary. Thanks for the input. When the school asked for a note, I was surprised since I hadn't planned on taking her in to the Doctor with the symptoms she has.

By Jjb on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 11:36 pm:

I think following your Mommy gut is always the best way to go- I'm happy she's feeling better. Virus can linger for so long- and there's nothing the dr. can do for you (excpet charge a co-pay and make you wait in the office being exposed to more germs). I don't understand the need for a note. Our school requires them also. I'm sure there is some logic behind them...frustrating none the less.

By Kittycat_26 on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 07:11 am:

I doubt that I would take Timmy but then I'm much more laid back too. We have a great nurse's help line as well. However, daycare has mandated that I take him alot of times whether or not I thought he needed to go. The school may have policies that have to be adhered to regarding time out of school. I know at work if you are out three days, you need a doctor's excuse where I work. It might be the same for her school.

By Sunny on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 09:09 am:

How is she feeling today?

It is tough to know when to take them to the doctor or not when they're not feeling well, but if my kids have stayed home sick for two days in a row, I usually will call the doctor's office on the second day and talk to the nurse. I'll explain the symptoms and let them tell me whether they want to see my child or not. 9 times out of 10, I'm told there is some virus going around and to let it run it's course and keep an eye on them. I will then tell them that I'll need a doctor's note when I send them back to school and they will prepare one for me - without me having to pay for an office visit.

By Tink on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 10:05 am:

Well, her temp went up to 100 last night so no school again today. I'm going to try calling the doctor, as Sunny said, and see if they want to see her or if they'll just prepare a note for me. I know she's ok and this is just a virus but the school is requiring this note for an excused absence so I'm just going to hope that her doctor will ok a note.

By Breann on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 10:23 am:

That is strange that the school wants a note. I've never heard of that happening before. Once my dd missed 10 days of school in a row. She was super sick and in the hospital for part of the time. The school never even questioned it.

Hope she gets to feeling better soon.