Sick college student....

[Anonymous]

Fever for 3 days, covid negative, but couldn't get out of bed in a small (first year) dorm room. Went and picked him up. Worried about him getting behind if he doesn't turn around in the next day or so.

I know...sick is no excuse. He is doing his best to stay up to date online, but has 2 major essays and test. So far he has been asleep.

Worried parent...I guess he will just suffer the low grades and it is what it is?

[Anonymous]

He needs to reach out to his professor ASAP.

[Anonymous]

I mean ... this is life. You get sick, so you take care of yourself and eventually get better. He needs to reach out to his professors and let them know he's too sick to do schoolwork right now and will scramble to catch up as soon as able.

[Anonymous]

Thank you both. When he wakes up I will make sure he has.

[Anonymous]

Reach out to the professors.

[Anonymous]

Most professors are pretty good about making up work when you’re sick. Did he get a strep test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most professors are pretty good about making up work when you’re sick. Did he get a strep test

No, throat was not that red. And he's always tested negative for strep his whole life, so that didn't concern me as much.

This is his 2nd go round as the "freshman flu" it seems. I hope his immune system kicks in soon.

[Anonymous]

There's always a first time. Test for strep, and also mononucleosis.

[Anonymous]

He should read his syllabi and abide by the attendance/ excused absence policy. At DD’s school, she sent professors a copy of her “walk out” statement from the local urgent care. Absences for two days were excused. Your DS can email professors for extension of work and essays. For example, if he was sick yesterday and today, and essay is due tomorrow, could he have an additional day to turn it in. Ask for this before the deadline happens, just in case it’s not approved and he needs to meet original deadline.

[Anonymous]

Remind your kids when they have a fever, they must hydrate. Once they get too dehydrated, they need IV fluids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remind your kids when they have a fever, they must hydrate. Once they get too dehydrated, they need IV fluids.

This seems to be a very unlikely outcome..

[Anonymous]

My DD just diagnosed with flu a. She’s only just gotten over the freshman crud and sinus infection. She emailed all her professors and got some extensions but she is gonna be working all weekend to make up for it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remind your kids when they have a fever, they must hydrate. Once they get too dehydrated, they need IV fluids.

This seems to be a very unlikely outcome..

NP. Happened to my dad - wound up in the hospital as a kid. My parents were obsessed with pushing fluids. Soups, ice pops, grape juice - whatever we'd take, they would give.

[Anonymous]

Professor here. I have no interest in seeing doctors notes. Too invasive.

If a student contacts me to say they’re super sick, what they’re doing to catch up, and what they need or when they expect to return/catch up I am generally fine with it. Even better if they’ve participated and come to office hours, because I already will trust they are trying.

[Anonymous]

Yes, contact the professors and keep an eye on your son.

My neighbors' son had a serious medical episode as a freshman. It progressed quickly, and they had the good sense to pick him up and take him to the hospital, because he was too ill to made any decisions, and apparently his friends there didn't know what to do either.