Swine+Flu+Information+and+precautions

Parents and Guardians of children in Inverness High School ASG || Date: || 10 November 2009 || Enquiries to: Direct Line: Email: || Dr Ken Oates 01463 704886 ken.oates@nhs.net  ||  Dear Parent or Guardian, At this time of year various viruses which can cause coughs and colds are circulating. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose exactly what is going round, and often there is more than one virus at a time in the community. H1N1 (swine flu) is one of the viruses around at the moment in the Inverness area. The numbers of people affected remain low. Inevitably when viruses are around in the wider community then pupils and staff at schools can also be affected. We are now starting to hear reports of some flu like illness in several schools. The most important advice is that children who have symptoms of flu-like illness should stay away from school and as far as possible not mix with others until they have recovered and are free of symptoms. This can take up to 7 days but may be less. If a child exhibits flu-like symptoms whilst they are at school they will be kept away from other children as far as possible so as not to mix with others. Arrangements will then be made to send the child home until they are free from symptoms. This is to minimise the spread of infection. Contacts (for example brothers, sisters and friends) of infected children who do not have symptoms can still go to school /nursery as usual. Children who are well should go to school as normal. The virus continues to be mild for most people. Most cases can be treated at home and there is no need to test all children with flu like symptoms. However a small number of children with symptoms may be tested by their GP by taking a swab of their nose or throat to confirm the presence of the Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) virus. These tests will tell us if the children are being affected by Influenza A(H1N1)v – the swine flu strain – or a normal seasonal flu strain, or one of the other viruses that can cause colds and sore throats. Symptoms of “swine flu” are largely the same as those for normal flu, and include a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms: The advice on what to do if your child or anyone in your household develops a flu-like illness and you are concerned about their symptoms remains the same - stay at home and seek medical advice either by contacting NHS 24 on 08454 242424 or telephoning your GP. No. Over the school summer holidays, the UK entered the “treatment” phase for dealing with the flu pandemic. This means that due to the level of flu circulating in communities throughout the country, it is no longer routinely recommended to close schools in order to try to contain the virus. Distribution of antiviral medicines (Tamiflu) to people who are not showing symptoms of infection is also no longer routinely recommended. Therefore there are no plans to close the school at this time, and all children who are not showing symptoms should continue to attend as normal. School closures will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, e.g. if so many staff are off sick to mean that the school cannot safely be opened. You would be given more information by the school if that was to happen. Supplies of the vaccine have now been delivered to general practices and GPs are beginning to offer the vaccine to people in high-risk groups who have underlying health conditions, asthma for example. Young children in a high risk group will be amongst those who are called first, and everyone in a high risk group should have been immunised in the next few weeks. For the great majority of children, swine flu is still a mild illness. However, if you are concerned that your child has a medical condition that makes them particularly vulnerable to infection you should contact your GP for further advice. Meantime, I would continue to stress the importance – in the home, as at school or nursery – of good health and hygiene. Hand-washing and proper use of tissues (covering coughs and sneezes) is especially important for all children and young people. Answers to your most frequently asked questions are available on the Parentzone website – [|www.LTscotland.org.uk/parentzone]. Yours sincerely, Dr Ken Oates Interim Director of Public Health     
 * Flu like Illness in Inverness **
 * Should I keep my children home from school? **
 * Will all the children be tested? **
 * What are the symptoms and what should I do if my child has them? **
 * unusual tiredness,
 * headache,
 * runny nose,
 * sore throat,
 * shortness of breath or cough,
 * loss of appetite,
 * aching muscles,
 * diarrhoea or vomiting.
 * Does this mean the school will close? **
 * Is the vaccine available? **
 * Ken Oates **

Nicola Sturgeon MSP
 * Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary for **
 * Health and Wellbeing **

**Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning ** Fiona Hyslop MSP  T: 0845 774 1741 E: scottish.ministers <span style="font-family: Clan-News; font-size: 9.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">@scotland.gsi.gov.uk  Parents and carers of all school and nursery children 17 August 2009

Dear parent or carer

We are writing to you at the start of the new term to reassure you about the swine flu situation. Schools have reopened, as planned, for the new term. Although there have been new cases of flu in Scotland over the summer holiday period, the welcome news is that the numbers have been fewer than originally predicted. We will of course continue to monitor the situation and the way the pandemic develops. Local authorities will take any decisions - and would keep you well informed of that - should it be necessary to close a school or nursery due to staff shortages (as a result of flu) or on health or any other grounds.
 * SWINE FLU **

For the great majority of children, swine flu is still a mild illness. However, those of you with concerns about children with medical conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to infection should discuss these both with your GP and with the school.

Meantime, we would continue to stress the importance – in the home, as at school or nursery – of good health and hygiene. Hand-washing and proper use of tissues (covering coughs and sneezes) is especially important for all children and young people. We are reinforcing this in schools and nurseries by issuing appropriate information packs. The advice on what to do if you or anyone in your household develops a flu-like illness and you are concerned over their symptoms remains - stay at home and seek medical advice either by contacting your GP or NHS 24 on 08454 242424.

Answers to your most frequently asked questions will be regularly posted on the //Parentzone// website – [|www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone]. The ‘swine flu’ section of Councils’ own websites are also very useful sources of local information and advice.

Our main priority and efforts continue to focus on how best we can protect the health and wellbeing of all children and young people. We appreciate your understanding and support.

Nicola Sturgeon MSP Fiona Hyslop MSP Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning