[BlueMoon6]

Weird question- I have a cold, not the flu, sore throat is gone and Im left with this cold and a little laryngitis. I have a red, sore nose, but not sneezing very much. A few coughs. I dont feel sick, really, just irritated with this cold that goes on and on and on....

Maybe tomorrow I'll be a lot better. Yuck. Would you go to therapy with these symptoms? I have SO much to talk about.......

I call T and let him decide. He always tells me to come in

I hope you feel better!

i did when i had the "revenge of the pre-schoolers" (from spending a day at a friends pre-school) what i did was call my t before hand and let her know it was a cold...no flu, no temp, etc and if she wanted me to not come that was okay...this way i didn't blind side her or anything.

it was during the paranoia of the piggy flu outbreak but i knew it wasn't flu, just a cold (i have a weak immune system).

she was okay with me coming in and appreciated the heads up...as it was her kid had the flu and gave it to her anyway.

so yep i would go.

stumpy

[ECHOES]

My T holds session with the sniffles, and light cough; so based on that, I would go if I am having similar symptoms. I rarely get sick, so it hasn't happened yet.

I hope your cold resolves soon!

[skeksi]

I always go, unless staying upright seems a major challenge. T seems to operate on the same principal. I work hard to treat symptoms beforehand, though, so I'm not gross

I do find that no matter how ill I might feel, it generally subsides from my attention for those 50 minutes.

At my agency we have postings all around the lobby to cancel your appointment if you have symptoms of flu or cold. We have had to turn clients away for being ill before - so if it's very obvious (you constantly sneezing, coughing, etc) I'd say stay home. A therapist getting ill means they have to cancel a day or days worth of clientele - and that once they caught the sickness they possibly passed it to additional clients and therapists.

[BlueMoon6]

Originally Posted by skeksi

I always go, unless staying upright seems a major challenge.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Ftt isnt in the office as I am her first client in the morning. I guess I will see how gross I feel in the morning and decide if I willl call. I am going to drink some hot tea and sleep early tonight.

Skeksi- I might be feeling miserable from this cold, you gave me a good laugh...thanks!

[sunrise]

I am always torn when it is within 24 hours of my session. On the one hand, I don't want to expose him to my germs, but on the other hand, if I call less than 24 hours in advance, then I have to pay him for the session whether I go or not. So if I realize I may still be infectious and it is greater than 24 hours away, I will call to cancel. If it is less than 24 hours, then I just go (unless I am really too sick to function) anyway, because I don't want to lose the money. I figure if he gets sick, it is because of his own 24 hour policy, which encourages clients not to cancel. This week I am kind of sick, I got the flu just over a week ago and have an appointment later this week. I am still coughing up a storm (very obnoxious), but I don't think I am contagious, my fever is gone, I am back at work, etc. So I will go to therapy and warn T that I sound a lot worse than I really am.

Blue, it sounds like if you keep your distance, you would probably not spread your germs (no hugs, handshakes, etc.). Hope you get all better soon.

[BlueMoon6]

Thanks, Sunny. Its just this yucky stuffy nose and laryngitis. I sound awful, but Im not sneezy or coughing much.

And...ftt is not in danger of catching anything from a hug....or a handshake.....

UGH! I should be in bed.....

I'd say it depends on how old the cold is - I think a cold is most contagious the first 2-3 days. But if it's been around awhile, I think you're okay.

I went into my session awhile ago with a bad cold, but it was Day 6 - turns out T had some sinus infection and was on antibiotics, so we made quite the pair!

Feel better!

[TayQuincy]

My T once commented "That's what your immune system is for" when someone complained in group that another group member was there sick, so I take it she doesn't mind being around sick people.

As for me, I agree with sunrise and I would go if it was within 24 hours and I was able to function. Also, people are generally more contagious before they even have symptoms. I think everyone is freaking over the swine flu and now more than ever are encouraging sick people to stay home. I have an autoimmune disorder so if I catch something it could be life threatening. So I try to stay away from sick people. However, I would go to therapy sick, I just refuse to pay for a missed session. If I'm going to have to pay for a missed session when I'm sick, then I will show up!

[zooropa]

hope you're feeling better, blue

[BlueMoon6]

Thanks, all I went to therapy (I'll post about the session ). I brought my own tissues and blew my nose a couple of times, but I didnt think about it at all. I was better this morning and not goopy and obviously contagious with a sickness.

These things last such a dern long TIME! A little impatient, eh?