'Act now': Take these 3 steps to protect your child from catching the flu as they go back to school
The number of patients in hospital beds with flu has risen by 9% 🤒
- The NHS have warned that ‘the worst is far from over’ as seasonal illness continue to spread this winter.
- The number of patients in hospital beds with flu has risen by 9% on the previous week.
- As children return to school after the Christmas holidays, these are the three steps you can take to protect them from catching the flu.
The number of patients in hospital for the flu has risen, with the NHS warning that the ‘worst is far from over’ this winter.
The uptick in cases may have been caused by Christmas and New Year gatherings, with the flu highly contagious and easily spread in close-contact settings.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA: “People are returning to work and school after Christmas, and this gives respiratory viruses like the flu more chances to spread. If you have symptoms, including a high temperature, cough and feeling tired or achy, you should try to minimise contact with others, especially those more vulnerable.”
With children now back in the classroom, there are some steps that parents can take to prevent their child from catching the flu.
How to prevent your child from getting the flu?
The flu can spread easily among children through close contact. Symptoms can last for a week and can include fever, extreme tiredness, aching muscles and joints, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat.
It can have serious complications, such as bronchitis, ear infections and pneumonia, with children under the age of 5 having one of the highest rates of hospital admissions due to flu.
Whilst there is no way to avoid catching the flu, these three simple actions can help protect your child and others from becoming unwell.
Practising good hygiene
Teach your child to wash their hands in warm, soapy water regularly, sneeze or cough into their elbow and dispose of any tissues in the nearest bin.
Stay home if they feel unwell
The flu can spread easily through close contact, especially in a school setting. If your child has symptoms, staying home can avoid spreading the flu and protect other children in their school who are vulnerable.
Get vaccinated
The flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 or 3 years old, school-aged children or children with a health condition that puts them at greater risk. The NHS describe it as the “best protection” we have against the flu.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “Flu can be serious, particularly for older people, young children and those with underlying conditions, and vaccination remains the best protection. I urge everyone who is eligible to get their flu jab as soon as possible.
“By acting now, we can help keep people out of hospital, support our NHS staff through the toughest weeks of winter, and ensure emergency care is there for those who need it most.”
Cases of seasonal illnesses are continuing to spread this winter. You can find out more about signs and symptoms and how to avoid falling ill at NHS.UK.