Sickbay

Sick Bay Notifications & Updates

Hello parents and guardians,

As we are approaching the cooler months, I thought it would be a great time to remind everyone on the importance of getting vaccinated and ways of preventing the spread of germs and bacteria in our school environment.

How to reduce the spread of respiratory illness this winter?

Encourage your children to:

wash or sanitise their hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching their face
cough or sneeze into their elbow
ensure your children stay up to date with their influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations
use air purifiers
maximise external ventilation

You can implement the following at home:

Remember, children should stay home if they are feeling unwell, have a fever, or have vomited in the last 24 hours. You should also consult their GP or Nurse-on-Call as needed.

What is the flu?

The flu – also known as influenza – is a respiratory illness caused by a type of influenza virus. It is very contagious, spreading easily from one person to another.

In most cases, the flu has symptoms similar to a cold. However, tiredness, lethargy and high fevers are more prominent, and the illness tends to last longer. The flu can lead to more serious sickness and complications – especially in very young children and those with ongoing medical conditions.

The flu is more common in autumn and winter. Each year, flu viruses change, and so do the types of flu spreading in the community. Occasionally, one of these strains can cause a more widespread or serious outbreak.

Signs and symptoms of the flu

The flu usually starts with a sudden fever and many of the following symptoms:

Sore throat
Runny nose
Dry cough
Headache
Aches and pains
Tiredness and lethargy
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea

More information can be found on https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/influenza_the_flu/

Flu and RSV vaccinations

The flu can be serious, especially for children. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the annual flu vaccine.

RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in Australia. Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborns by passing on antibodies. This reduces the risk of severe RSV illness in infants aged under 6 months by about 70%.

The vaccine can safely be given at the same time as other vaccines recommended in pregnancy. These include flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19 vaccines.

Don’t risk the Flu and get vaccinated - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/get-vaccinated

Stay safe 😊

Nurse Shani