Parents urged to keep children at school as swine flu cases increase (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Parents urged to keep children at school as swine flu cases increase

11:58am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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Health bosses have urged parentsd not keep children away from school as swine flu becomes more widespread.

NHS Central Lancashire say there have been changes to the way the spread of swine flu in the is being managed, with family doctors (giving a diagnosis over the phone on the basis of patients’ symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing.

It is now accepted that the virus is widespread and people are likely to be exposed to it in their everyday lives, so shutting schools down will not slow the spread of swine flu.

Dr Shelagh Garnett, NHS Central Lancashire deputy director of public health, said: “We understand that parents and teachers are concerned about swine flu but as long as they are healthy and well, children should not stay away from school.

“We are following national guidance and schools will only be shut in exceptional circumstances. “If it is suspected that a child at a school has swine flu we will no longer be giving out antiviral medication to their classmates.

"While antivirals reduce the length of time you are ill, they don’t protect you from catching swine flu.

“Of course, if you think your child may have swine flu then keep them at home and check their symptoms on the online symptom checker on www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct 0845 46 47.

“There are also simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent the spread of swine flu. Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes and coughs, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and wash your hands afterwards.

“It’s important to maintain good basic hygiene as well, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water will reduce the spread of viruses.”

There is a storybook leaflet for young children, featuring Dirty Bertie, carrying the ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’ message available to download at www.centrallancashire.nhs.uk under the ‘Swine flu’ section.