Community News

INFLUENZA (FLU)

The Department of Education  has sent out a memo to all schools about the importance of good hygiene to reduce the spread of influenza. Also encouraging the public to stay at home if unwell to prevent the spread of germs. 

 Influenza (the flu) - Occurring mainly during the winter months, Influenza, commonly called 'the flu', is an infection caused by a virus. . It mainly affects the nose, throat and lungs, although can involve other parts of the body. In healthy children it is much like a bad cold.

Symptoms and Signs - Influenza usually begins with a sudden onset of fever and at least two or three of the following symptoms: Aches and pains, headache, cough or noisy breathing, Sore throat and runny nose, low energy, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Children at risk of severe illness - Influenza can be more serious in children with any chronic medical conditions including: Chronic respiratory conditions (including asthma), Chronic heart disease, Chronic neurological or metabolic conditions, Chronic kidney or liver problems, Diabetes mellitus or a lowered immune system, due to medicines or illness.

Treatment - Most children recover within seven days with symptomatic care only. Ensure your child has plenty of bed rest, encourage them to drink lots of fluid and use paracetamol for pain or discomfort (Do not give aspirin). Antibiotics are not helpful for influenza and will not be prescribed unless your child also has a bacterial infection. Antiviral medications (such as Tamiflu) are not given to children who are otherwise fit and healthy because they do not usually make a difference to the duration of the illness.

How is it spread? - Influenza is very infectious. It can spread through the air by coughing and sneezing and by touching objects that have been in contact with an infected person's mouth or nose. A person with influenza is contagious from the day before, until a few days after, the symptoms begin.

Prevention - The best way to prevent influenza is the influenza vaccine (see below). Good hygiene habits can also reduce the chance of getting influenza or passing it to others. These include:

• Regular hand washing
  • Not sharing cups or cutlery
  • Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

Influenza vaccine ('flu-shot') - Flu vaccination is voluntary, but everyone (over 6 months of age) is encouraged to get vaccinated. If your child has a chronic medical condition, it is strongly recommended they and all family members have an annual influenza vaccination. Because the influenza virus changes (or "mutates") slightly from year to year, your child will need a new and updated influenza vaccine at the beginning of each influenza season.

Side effects of the vaccine include pain and redness at the site of injection. Less commonly, children may develop fever or aches and pains which last one to two days. The vaccine cannot cause influenza as it contains killed or inactivated influenza virus.

Key points to remember - 

• Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza.
  • Influenza is very infectious so good hygiene is important.
  • Influenza is caused by a virus so antibiotics cannot be used to treat it.
  • Influenza can be more serious in children with chronic medical conditions.
  • Contact your family doctor if your child has influenza and has a chronic medical condition or signs of severe illness.

Stay Fit and Healthy,

Susie and Jo (School Nurses).