As the new school term begins, parents are being encouraged to take proactive measures to keep their children healthy and prevent the spread of common illnesses. Health officials have outlined five simple steps to safeguard children’s health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of good hygiene habits and knowing when to keep a child at home.

With the onset of the winter season, the prevalence of common viruses such as chickenpox, norovirus, and flu tends to increase, often leading to a rise in absenteeism among school children. Dr. Catherine Falconer from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlights the disruptive impact of seasonal viruses on children’s education and overall health, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate their spread.

Key Recommendations for Parents:

1. Teach Good Hygiene Habits: Encouraging regular hand-washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or the use of hand sanitizers is cited as one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of viruses. Additionally, using tissues to cover coughs and sneezes and disposing of them properly before washing hands is recommended to curb the spread of infections.
2. Prevent Spread of Stomach Bugs: With the increase in sickness bugs such as norovirus and E. coli, parents are advised to use bleach-based products to sanitize surfaces and prevent the spread of these bugs. Furthermore, individuals experiencing symptoms of stomach bugs are urged not to prepare food for others and to avoid close contact with vulnerable individuals in care homes and hospitals to prevent transmission.
3. Know When to Keep Your Child at Home: Children with a high temperature or symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting are advised to stay at home until they have fully recovered. On the other hand, children with minor symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, without a high temperature, are encouraged to attend school, nursery, or childcare.

Health officials also caution about the potential spread of conditions like scarlet fever and chickenpox during this time of year, advising parents to be vigilant for symptoms such as sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, rash, and flushed cheeks, which may indicate these illnesses. In the event of observing these signs, contacting a local GP and keeping the affected children away from school and nursery for 24 hours is recommended.