Illness and college classes

[Terabith]

I’m taking two courses this semester as part of working on my teaching license. They are both three hour long once a week courses, so attendance is pretty much mandatory. And of course I’ve contracted some bug with fever and flu like symptoms. So the question is, do I try to go to class or not?

[bibiche]

No, nobody wants your illness. Contact your professor.

 

And I hope you feel better soon!

Edited January 22, 2018 by bibiche

[regentrude]

Contact your professor.

If you suspect you have influenza (and not just a mild respiratory infection), you should not attend class.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Well I'd say no don't go, but the policies of my instructors pretty much guarantee people will show up sick so I don't really know what I'd do in that situation.

 

 

[catz]

I went to college classes sick all the time but it does stink.  We the flu hoopla this year, I would check in with the professor. 

[regentrude]

Even if a class is nominally mandatory, any professor who is not living under a rock is aware of the dangers of this flu season. I would think that they would find creative ways to accommodate students - even if thsoe ways are not laid out in the syllabus. It cannot be in the college's interest to have students come to class with the flu.

[Teachaheart]

Even if a class is nominally mandatory, any professor who is not living under a rock is aware of the dangers of this flu season. I would think that they would find creative ways to accommodate students - even if thsoe ways are not laid out in the syllabus. It cannot be in the college's interest to have students come to class with the flu.

I agree. I'm more than willing to work with students who have anything resembling the flu if that means they will stay home. I also have no problem telling visibly ill students that they cannot stay in class.

[Laurie]

I remember hearing from my son about a classmate who couldn't attend class a few times, and she arranged with the professor to watch the lecture from her computer.  (Is this Skype?  I don't know much about computer stuff!)

 

 

[Terabith]

Don’t know if it’s influenza but similar symptoms. Going to doctor. Will see what she says and rule out strep.

[OneStepAtATime]

Yes hopefully the doctor can tell you what you have.  If it is strep you can address it relatively quickly with antibiotics and could probably still attend class.  Flu?  I would not go, especially this year.  

[Terabith]

I had a flu shot but have fever, chills, headache, sore throat, body aches, exhaustion, and nausea. Just feel fairly dreadful. Class is at 5:30.

[regentrude]

I had a flu shot but have fever, chills, headache, sore throat, body aches, exhaustion, and nausea. Just feel fairly dreadful. Class is at 5:30.

 

I would not want a student with the above symptoms in my classroom. I would not want myself or the other students to get sick, and I highly doubt that a student this sick could get anything out of the class either.

 

I would skip the doctor and go straight to bed after emailing the prof.

 

I hope you feel better soon.

Edited January 22, 2018 by regentrude

[Kanin]

Sick again? Oh dear :(

[Terabith]

Flu and strep tests were negative. Doctor said there’s a virus going around with flu symptoms that isn’t flu. Yes, I’m very frustrated about being sick again. I think my immune system just hasn’t really recovered and I can’t seem to fight anything off. She said rest and fluids and that it’s up to me whether I go to class or not. Bed is very appealing but also worried about getting behind in a class that only meets once a week. She said since I don’t have a cough I’m probably not super contagious but I do have a fever of 101.

[OneStepAtATime]

:grouphug:

 

Talk to the professor.  Is there a way to contact them?  See if they will send you the missing material/info.  Or a way to contact a classmate that takes great notes.  Or maybe the professor would be willing to record the class?  You may not get much out of the class anyway if you feel awful and have to sit there for 3 hours in each class trying to stay focused.  Tackling the material when you feel better might net better results and you wouldn't be risking getting others sick or making yourself even worse by overextending.

[Cosmos]

Flu and strep tests were negative. Doctor said there’s a virus going around with flu symptoms that isn’t flu. Yes, I’m very frustrated about being sick again. I think my immune system just hasn’t really recovered and I can’t seem to fight anything off. She said rest and fluids and that it’s up to me whether I go to class or not. Bed is very appealing but also worried about getting behind in a class that only meets once a week. She said since I don’t have a cough I’m probably not super contagious but I do have a fever of 101.

 

Can someone record the class for you? I don't think you have any business being in class with a fever. And chances are you wouldn't get much out of it. Stay home and work on getting better.

 

[Catwoman]

Stay home.

 

Even if you aren’t worried about making others sick (which I still think is a big concern,) you could end up making yourself a lot sicker if you go. Also, your resistance is already low, so why risk catching something else?

[Terabith]

Sent an email. I really just want to go to bed. Will see what she says. We are all supposed to give presentations today so I don’t know what to say. But I feel pretty wretched.

[OneStepAtATime]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

 

See if you could record your presentation and submit it that way once you are feeling better.   And I think you are making the right decision.  I hope you get better soon.

[Terabith]

Well, haven’t heard back from professor. So sorta feel obligated to go.

[catz]

If you don't have the flu and have a temp of 101, maybe you'll be on the mend quickly.  Hope you feel better soon!

[regentrude]

Well, haven’t heard back from professor. So sorta feel obligated to go.

 

If you are sick you are sick.

The professor may not be at her computer.

[Kassia]

Well, haven’t heard back from professor. So sorta feel obligated to go.

 

I hope you didn't go. You are not well enough and need to rest, and no one else wants to catch what you have.  The professor should accommodate your absence - especially with the flu being widespread.  Not all will, but they should.  

[Catwoman]

I hope you didn't go. You are not well enough and need to rest, and no one else wants to catch what you have. The professor should accommodate your absence - especially with the flu being widespread. Not all will, but they should.

Yes, this.

 

It’s actually very inconsiderate of others to go when you know you are so sick. How could you not be contagious when you’re feeling so terrible and have a 101 degree fever?

 

If I was the person sitting next to you in class, I would not be happy to see you because I wouldn’t want to get sick. And in my case, I would also be especially worried because my dh is immunosuppressed and if I bring your virus home with me, my dh might end up in the hospital.

 

I really hope you stayed home.

Edited January 22, 2018 by Catwoman

[Terabith]

Well, given that the doctor did not think I was all that contagious since I didn’t have a cough, and I couldn’t reach the professor, and there’s a missing class equals being dropped on the syllabus, and I had a presentation due, I went and sat as far from others as I could and washed my hands thoroughly before class.

 

Three other people said during their presentations that they had the flu. Half the class was coughing.

 

Of course, fever is up to 102.8 now, but it’s evening and tends to go up then.

 

I’m going to bed.

Edited January 23, 2018 by Terabith

[Katy]

The evening news the other day (ABC) said that the deadly strain of flu this year frequently tests negative on quick tests in doctors offices, but when people go to the hospital with sepsis and/or respiratory distress 12 hours later the more sensitive tests at the hospital say it IS the flu.

[Aura]

Well, given that the doctor did not think I was all that contagious since I didn’t have a cough, and I couldn’t reach the professor, and there’s a missing class equals being dropped on the syllabus, and I had a presentation due, I went and sat as far from others as I could and washed my hands thoroughly before class.

 

Three other people said during their presentations that they had the flu. Half the class was coughing.

 

Of course, fever is up to 102.8 now, but it’s evening and tends to go up then.

 

I’m going to bed.

 

 

:grouphug:  Hope you feel better.

[ktgrok]

Flu and strep tests were negative. Doctor said there’s a virus going around with flu symptoms that isn’t flu. Yes, I’m very frustrated about being sick again. I think my immune system just hasn’t really recovered and I can’t seem to fight anything off. She said rest and fluids and that it’s up to me whether I go to class or not. Bed is very appealing but also worried about getting behind in a class that only meets once a week. She said since I don’t have a cough I’m probably not super contagious but I do have a fever of 101.

 

Seriously? You feel awful, and could very well spread that to someone else. Stay home! Going to class so you can keep up while making others sick so they fall behind is selfish. (I'm not saying you are a selfie person, I'm guessing you are stressed and not thinking this through all the way)

 

Also, flu tests are not particularly accurate, especially early on in the course of the disease. 

 

I hope you stayed home. 

[Terabith]

Believe me, I’m strongly on the staying home side. I wouldn’t go to the library or the store or something. But given the syllabus states, “Do to the intense nature of this class, any absences will result in you being dropped,†and I was unable to reach the professor; I had a presentation to do, and the doctor said without a cough I was minimal risk. I washed hands and stayed as far as possible from other. Three people mentioned during their presentations that they had the flu, and half the class was coughing and looked terrible.

 

Next dilemma is to try to work ok stuff or just sleep, which my body is starting to get serious about. You’ll feel better if you lie down.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Believe me, I’m strongly on the staying home side. I wouldn’t go to the library or the store or something. But given the syllabus states, “Do to the intense nature of this class, any absences will result in you being dropped,†and I was unable to reach the professor; I had a presentation to do, and the doctor said without a cough I was minimal risk. I washed hands and stayed as far as possible from other. Three people mentioned during their presentations that they had the flu, and half the class was coughing and looked terrible.

 

Next dilemma is to try to work ok stuff or just sleep, which my body is starting to get serious about. You’ll feel better if you lie down.

 

I totally get it.  Hope you feel better quick. 

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

 

 

The flu test isn’t very reliable, false negatives are very common.

[JudoMom]

Believe me, I’m strongly on the staying home side. I wouldn’t go to the library or the store or something. But given the syllabus states, “Do to the intense nature of this class, any absences will result in you being dropped,†and I was unable to reach the professor; I had a presentation to do, and the doctor said without a cough I was minimal risk. I washed hands and stayed as far as possible from other. Three people mentioned during their presentations that they had the flu, and half the class was coughing and looked terrible.

 

Next dilemma is to try to work ok stuff or just sleep, which my body is starting to get serious about. You’ll feel better if you lie down.

You do what you have to do. I'm sorry you're so sick and I hope you're able to get the rest you need and still get your work done.

[ktgrok]

I'd be complaining to the administration...a class full of people with flu is ridiculous. The university needs to have a policy to address it given the flu situation. 

[Aura]

I'd be complaining to the administration...a class full of people with flu is ridiculous. The university needs to have a policy to address it given the flu situation. 

 

Watch the professor come down with the flu since so many were in the classroom! I don't think I'd give much sympathy. 

[Terabith]

The professor doesn’t set the policies. She’s an adjunct. It’s school wide. It’s meant to take into account individual situations, but it’s the beginning of semester, she doesn’t know any of us. Her class is overbooked. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[Terabith]

Think I may have overdone it a bit yesterday. Can’t bring myself to get out of bed. Profoundly exhausted and achy. My eyes hurt so I don’t really feel like doing anything except sleeping. Fortunately no classes today.

[ktgrok]

The professor doesn’t set the policies. She’s an adjunct. It’s school wide. It’s meant to take into account individual situations, but it’s the beginning of semester, she doesn’t know any of us. Her class is overbooked. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

That's why I said the university needs to make a policy statement to address the issue. They need to be handling this before it gets worse. People are DYING from this, and yet they have a policy that is contributing to the spread. They need to state clearly that anyone ill needs to stay home. Period. 

[Terabith]

Definitely. I really don’t want to expose anyone. And I want to be in bed, not class. But the policies make it really tough to stay home. Very risky.

[regentrude]

That's why I said the university needs to make a policy statement to address the issue. They need to be handling this before it gets worse. People are DYING from this, and yet they have a policy that is contributing to the spread. They need to state clearly that anyone ill needs to stay home. Period. 

 

That sounds very nice in  principle, but it becomes difficult when it comes to implementation of such a policy (even more so when you talk about three hour long classes that may be required by an accrediting board for accreditation, or classes which have information or activities that are not replicated by reading a textbook.)

How is the student supposed to make up the work that happened in class?

Should the instructor be required to hold a makeup class for every class session missed by one student? Will she be paid for this?

 

It is really not that simple. I am a college instructor and have some built in policies to accommodate absences (dropping of lowest assignment of each category), but handling missing class is a headache, and I cannot propose a good solution. Do you have one? What policy would you suggest the university should make? 

Edited January 23, 2018 by regentrude

[Terabith]

Yes. Nobody is being nefarious here. Sick students were trying to not infect others. Professor is trying to teach the course with academic integrity, including requirements for professional licensure. It’s just complicated and miserable.

[ktgrok]

That sounds very nice in  principle, but it becomes difficult when it comes to implementation of such a policy (even more so when you talk about three hour long classes that may be required by an accrediting board for accreditation, or classes which have information or activities that are not replicated by reading a textbook.)

How is the student supposed to make up the work that happened in class?

Should the instructor be required to hold a makeup class for every class session missed by one student? Will she be paid for this?

 

It is really not that simple. I am a college instructor and have some built in policies to accommodate absences (dropping of lowest assignment of each category), but handling missing class is a headache, and I cannot propose a good solution. Do you have one? What policy would you suggest the university should make? 

 

One where people are not put at added risk of dying? I think there needs to be a way to handle this kind of situation. My husband is an adjunct professor, so I get it. I do. But people are dying from this, no one really has any immunity to it, and it is at the point where entire hospitals have filled up and have no beds left. Schools are closing. This is not a normal thing, so new policy needs to be implemented. Perhaps having all lectures recorded and posted online. perhaps students turning in assignments virtually, or extending due dates. It can be done. And it might save a life, either of a student or one of their family members. 

[regentrude]

I get the sentiment, but i am still not sure how "it can be done".

 

Perhaps having all lectures recorded and posted online. perhaps students turning in assignments virtually, or extending due dates. It can be done. 

 

This works for some lecture classes (even though technically it is very difficult to do an impromptu recording in a lecture hall that has good enough quality for students to see what's on the board - I know this because I teach an online class and prerecord all my lectures at home).

But it does nothing for classes where there is activity happening in class and students are doing something.

I assume the situation of the OP is one where a licensing agency requires x numbers of class hours to grant the license.

So my question was: what do you propose to solve this problem? Because I can't really think of anything.

 

 

[ktgrok]

I get the sentiment, but i am still not sure how "it can be done".

 

 

This works for some lecture classes (even though technically it is very difficult to do an impromptu recording in a lecture hall that has good enough quality for students to see what's on the board - I know this because I teach an online class and prerecord all my lectures at home).

But it does nothing for classes where there is activity happening in class and students are doing something.

I assume the situation of the OP is one where a licensing agency requires x numbers of class hours to grant the license.

So my question was: what do you propose to solve this problem? Because I can't really think of anything.

 

She said they were doing presentations. Students could do them on a recording and turn them in that way. Or create a powerpoint and write a paper. Etc. I mean, are we saying there is a licensure that she is getting that has the specific requirement of an in person presentation? In this day of Skype, gotomeeting, etc, there is some way to make this up in another format or time. 

[Bootsie]

One where people are not put at added risk of dying? I think there needs to be a way to handle this kind of situation. My husband is an adjunct professor, so I get it. I do. But people are dying from this, no one really has any immunity to it, and it is at the point where entire hospitals have filled up and have no beds left. Schools are closing. This is not a normal thing, so new policy needs to be implemented. Perhaps having all lectures recorded and posted online. perhaps students turning in assignments virtually, or extending due dates. It can be done. And it might save a life, either of a student or one of their family members

When the last big flu outbreak hit several years ago, my university required each professor to come up with a plan for a two week time period in case the university decided to close to stop the spread of flu.  It sounded easy until they realized that the university's computer system could handle less than 1% of the file space if every class was recorded and posted; the university did not have the resources to record lectures but in a few classrooms.  Classes where group work, presentations, or class discussion was important could not be handled well with taped lectures.  They realized that the learning management system could not really handle having all assignments turned in virtually.  

[Bootsie]

She said they were doing presentations. Students could do them on a recording and turn them in that way. Or create a powerpoint and write a paper. Etc. I mean, are we saying there is a licensure that she is getting that has the specific requirement of an in person presentation? In this day of Skype, gotomeeting, etc, there is some way to make this up in another format or time. 

Having students record a presentation and turn it in is not the same as having them make presentations in front of a live audience.  Also, it precludes a question, answer, and discussion period after the presentation that can be critical.  

[SparklyUnicorn]

Honestly, I think a lot of instructors just get sick of the 100,000 weird excuses and then make draconian polices as a result.  Maybe it's worse because it's a CC, but man I've heard some crazy things.  The more seasoned profs just say no excuses period (or some other strict rigid variation of this).  The newer ones have the relaxed policies and get walked on.

 

 

[Terabith]

Class number 2 is tonight. First class meeting was canceled by snow. Still feeling lousy and feverish. Please prayers and good thoughts.

[Catwoman]

I hope you’re feeling better tonight, Terabith. Have you contacted this professor to ask about absences related to illness?

[ktgrok]

I hope you’re feeling better tonight, Terabith. Have you contacted this professor to ask about absences related to illness?

I think she did? Perhaps contacting the Dean of the department would work? Specifically asking if a doctor's note would excuse the absence, and explain that you have the flu. 

[Catwoman]

I think she did? Perhaps contacting the Dean of the department would work? Specifically asking if a doctor's note would excuse the absence, and explain that you have the flu.

I thought she was talking about a different class this time, because she said the first class had been canceled due to snow, and I know she actually went to her other class.

 

I could be misinterpreting her post, though. :)