UKHSA publishes back-to-school advice to reduce illness

The UK Health Security Agency has issued back-to-school advice to parents to help reduce winter illness in the new year.

As levels of winter illnesses including flu, COVID-19 and norovirus continue to rise, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is highlighting to parents the simple steps they can take to reduce viruses spreading in the community.

This includes teaching children good hygiene habits, such as effective hand-washing and catching coughs and sneezes.

The UKHSA has e-bug resources for all ages can help you to explain and discuss hygiene habits – and why they are important.

Along with rising cases of norovirus, UKHSA has also been seeing higher levels of other gastrointestinal infections, such as Shiga toxin-producing E.coli.

The UKHSA says that if a parent or child has diarrhoea and vomiting, washing  hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading.

At this time of year, other types of illnesses that circulate are scarlet fever and chickenpox, as cases usually peak in late winter and early spring.

Symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, a bumpy rash on the tummy, flushed cheeks and ‘strawberry tongue’. If you suspect your child has scarlet fever, contact your local GP; and if diagnosed stay away from nursery or school for 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics.

Chickenpox is highly contagious, with the most common symptom being an itchy, spotty rash. If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over.

The UKHSA says that vaccinations offer protection against flu and is given as a quick and painless nasal spray for children.

Dr Catherine Falconer, deputy director health equity and inclusion health at UKHSA, said: "The winter period can see an increase in some of the common seasonal viruses which disrupt children’s education and cause more serious illnesses. As children head back to school, there are steps parents and families can take to keep a household healthy this January whilst also preventing infections from spreading when children are poorly. By following this guidance, parents are also protecting the wider community."