Meadow High School Parent Portal - Weekly Bulletin - Issue 14

Dear Families

As we enter the winter months, we are beginning to see cases of flu and norovirus increasing. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has sent some advice and guidance for families on the simple steps they can take to reduce the spread of stomach bugs and winter illnesses to ensure that your children / our pupils stay healthy and strong this winter.

Teaching good hygiene habits

Families are urged to encourage good hygiene habits in their families, such as handwashing and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes. 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.

Knowing when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school

Children are encouraged to stay in school with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough if they are otherwise well and do not have a high temperature. However, if they are displaying symptoms such as:

a fever, they should stay home until the fever has passed, and they are well enough to attend.
diarrhoea and vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up.

Stopping the spread of stomach bugs

Stomach bugs spread easily in schools. 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 such symptoms 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 more vulnerable. It’s important that all children are given the opportunity to start the year in good health, which is why it’s important not to return to school until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

Getting vaccinated

Infections such as flu, which see a seasonal increase in winter, are easily protected against with vaccination. All secondary school children from Year 7 to Year 11 are eligible for the flu vaccine, which, beyond protecting the children themselves and the school community, will also protect elderly relatives.

It’s also important to ensure your children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, which protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and polio. UKHSA is continuing to see cases of measles, which is easily prevented with vaccination. If parents are unsure of their child’s vaccination status, they can check their child’s red book or contact their local GP.

UKHSA’s e-bug resources for all ages can help you to explain and discuss hygiene habits and their importance, to your child or teenager.

NHS UK also provides easily accessible guidance for parents to help manage winter illness at home.