The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2025 issue - Magazine - Page 71
East Midlands parents and
carers urged to take simple steps
to help keep children healthy as
new school term begins
The UK Health Security Agency is reminding
parents and carers of the simple steps they
can take to ensure their children make the
healthiest start to this school term after the
Christmas break.
The new year brings with it an opportunity to teach children
about the importance of good hygiene and with the recent
increase in cases of flu and high levels of norovirus, it’s more
important than ever.
The latest surveillance data from UKHSA shows that flu
activity continued to increase over the Christmas break, with
hospitalisations also increasing. Flu is now circulating at high
levels, an increase on the medium levels we saw before the
school holidays, which is why it’s especially important to
teach good hygiene habits as children return to school.
Figures are expected to rise further as children go back to
school and many return to the workplace. However, there
are simple steps that families can take to reduce the spread
of infections and protect households and classrooms from
illness this New Year.
Dr Vanessa MacGregor, Consultant in Communicable Disease
Control at UKHSA, East Midlands said:
“It’s an important time of year, as children get started on the new
school term. There are simple steps you can take to help stop the
spread of nasty illness in the next few weeks of winter, including
making sure your child is regularly washing their hands,
ensuring they are up to date with vaccinations, and knowing
when to keep your child off school.”
Stopping the spread of stomach bugs
Stomach bugs spread easily in schools, nurseries and
households. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting,
washing your hands with soap and warm water and using
bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop
infections from spreading. Don’t prepare food for others if
you have diarrhoea or vomiting or for 48 hours after
symptoms stop. If you are unwell, you should also avoid
visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing
on the infection to those who are more vulnerable.
Do not return to school, nursery or work until 48 hours
after symptoms have stopped.
Teaching good hygiene habits
Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water
for 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser when convenient, is
one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs.
Parents are encouraged to lead by example and encourage
good hygiene habits such as using a tissue to catch coughs
and sneezes, as well as washing hands. Alcohol gels don’t kill
all bugs so don’t rely on these.
Knowing when to keep your child at home and
when to send them to school
January marks the start of a new term, with new things to
learn and friends to make. Time off school can disrupt
learning and also be an inconvenience for parents and carers
having to stay off work. This is why it’s important to know
when to keep your child at home and when to send them
to school. Children can stay in school with symptoms such
as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough if otherwise well
and do not have a high temperature but should stay home
if they’re displaying symptoms such as having a fever. If your
child has diarrhoea and vomiting, they should stay home for
at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up.
If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high
temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit
your contact with others. If you have symptoms and need to
leave the house, you are advised to wear a face covering.
Getting vaccinated
Last year, falling vaccination rates among young children
resulted in a widespread measles outbreak in England, which
is why it’s important to check your children are up-to-date
with their routine vaccinations, which protect against
diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and
polio. If parents are unsure of their child’s vaccination status,
they can check their child’s red book or contact their local GP.
If you’re expecting, it’s also important that you take up all
vaccinations offered to you, including the whooping cough
and the new RSV vaccine which protects newborn babies
against serious illness.
Contact Information
Ian Coulson-Thorpe • ian.coulsonthorpe@ukhsa.gov.uk
