Parents have expressed their anger after a school reportedly sent out an email advising parents that children with tonsillitis should still attend classes.
Twitter user Gem shared an image from the unnamed school with the caption: “Absolutely disgusted to receive this in an email from my son's school after he had a couple of days off sick.”
The extract from the email is headed “When should your child stay at home?” and says: “When assessing whether to send your child to school or not, consider whether an adult would take a day off from work in a similar situation.
“For sickness or diarrhoea, the school's policy is for a child to be off for 48 hours.
“You do not need to keep your child home from school if they have: athlete's foot, cold sores, glandular fever, head lice, tonsillitis, cold or cough, head aches, sore throat.
“If we believe your child is absent without genuine reason, or they are frequently with illness, we may request medical evidence or discuss the child with the local authority.”
The post sparked widespread anger on social media, with many pointing out that the advice contravened NHS guidelines.
The NHS website describes tonsillitis as “an infection of the tonsils at the back of your throat. It is a common childhood illness, but teenagers and adults can get it too.
“Tonsillitis can feel like a bad cold or flu. The tonsils at the back of your throat will be red and swollen.”
The advice adds that while tonsillitis is not contagious, the infections that cause it – such as colds and flu – are.
“If you or your child have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better,” the guidance adds.
It also advises that anyone with tonsillitis should get plenty of rest in order to help treat the symptoms.
Replying to Gem, one Twitter user wrote: “GLANDULAR FEVER? When I was a teenager my friend Leili, 17, no underlying health problems, got glandular fever in the middle of summer and died from sepsis and renal failure less than 72 hours later.
“Considering I'm not a parent I've surprised myself with how p***ed about this I feel.
“This is in no way following any kind of NHS guidance, it's just some p***k right wing headteacher vibing it out.”
Another added: “No one should be at school or work with Glandular fever. Also things like coughs, colds, etc can spread infections to other child(ren), same with head lice .
“If you think your child is not well enough to attend that’s is your decision.”
A third social media user added: “Tonsillitis and Glandular fever are against NHS advice.
“Hell, the NHS says not to send your kid to school if they just have a temperature and feel fine otherwise! The school should be ashamed of themselves.”
Another reply read: “Jesus Christ. honestly sending your kid to school with tonsillitis or glandular fever is just… abusive?
“They would have a fever! They’re contagious! They’d feel APPALLING. No work will get done!
“You’re meant to rest when you’re sick! I’d be sending some furious words in response.”
