PARENTS’ QUESTIONS (will also be posted on Parentzone)
Q What does the ‘treatment’ phase of the pandemic mean?
A Because the flu virus is already circulating in the community, the focus is now on treating people with suspected swine flu rather than closing schools or nurseries to try and ‘contain’ or slow the spread of the virus down - something which did not prove to be very effective.
Q Will there still be closures of schools and nurseries?
A In future, closures are more likely to arise because levels of illness among staff may mean that the schools or nurseries cannot continue to operate safely. There could still though be closures on health grounds – for instance to protect groups of more vulnerable children - if the local authority and Health Board considered that necessary.
Q There have been cases of suspected swine flu in my child’s school (or nursery) but it has remained open, should I send my child in?
A While schools remain open, you should continue to send your child to school - unless they have any flu-like symptoms. You would be advised if the school were to close and what to do then.
Q What happens if a child becomes ill at school or nursery?
A You would be contacted and asked to collect and take them home. You should then contact your GP or NHS 24 (on 0845 242424)
Q What can I do to help?
A Make sure that the school or nursery has your up-to-date contact details - address, phone number (home, work and mobile) and any e-mail details - in case they need to get in touch with you.
Q My child has a history of other medical problems and I believe they are at greater risk should they catch swine flu. Is it safe for them to go to school while there have been cases of suspected swine flu there; are there other precautions I should take?
A Children should continue to attend school unless they have any flu-like symptoms. If you have particular concerns about your child’s medical condition and vulnerability to swine flu and its effects, you should discuss these matters both with your GP and with the school.
The school may in turn wish to consult the Health Board or local health protection team about such matters.
Q Is it better for children to catch swine flu now in order to build up their resilience and immunity?
A No. We are still learning about this strain of swine flu and who is most at risk of complications if they contract it. There would also be a risk of the child going on to infect other vulnerable people.
Even with mild flu, complications can occur, leading to more serious illness. With this in mind, it would be wrong not to take all possible precautions against catching swine flu.
Q What should I do if my child (or indeed anyone else in the household) shows any signs of flu-like illness?
A If your child is unwell, or you are concerned about their health in any way, you should contact your local GP or NHS 24 (on 0845 242424).
You should keep them at home and tell the school, nursery etc.
Q When should my child return to school or nursery?
A Not while they still have any symptoms. Once all the symptoms have passed and they feel well enough to return, they can do so.
Q Is hand-washing and the use of tissues important?
Yes, very, and as much in the home as in the school or nursery. Frequent hand-washing and use of tissues to cover coughs and sneezes is important in helping to slow the spread of swine flu among children and young people, because they are more likely than others to catch and spread it.
Q Will my child be vaccinated against swine flu? How soon?
A The first supplies of vaccine will be used to vaccinate those people who are most at risk, for instance those with medical conditions (adults and children) which make them particularly vulnerable to swine flu and its effects, and front line health and social care staff who, because of their jobs, are most likely to catch swine flu or to infect these vulnerable groups.
Ministers will continue to be guided by the medical experts about the further vaccination programme, reflecting on the way the pandemic develops.
There will be a full public information campaign to answer people’s detailed questions about the vaccine and vaccination programme as it gets underway.
Q I am concerned about the side effects of Tamiflu on my child?
A If your GP has prescribed Tamiflu for your child, you should follow any advice that they gave you.
If your child starts to show any side effects or you are concerned in any other way about their state of health – especially if it seems to worsen - you should contact your GP again (or NHS 24 on 0845 242424) as soon as possible.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE via the following links –
Health Protection
PANDEMIC FLU
Guidance for infection control for schools and early years or group childcare settings
Published by The Scottish Government & Health Protection Scotland, 2008
PLANNING FOR A HUMAN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC
INFECTION CONTROL
HOW TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF PANDEMIC FLU
Who is this guidance for?
1. The guidance is designed to assist staff in local authorities and non-residential schools (in both the state and independent sectors) and early years or group childcare settings. It is not aimed at childminders, for whom there is separate guidance, available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/07/05121404/1
2. It supplements general guidance on planning for a flu pandemic previously issued in Scotland, and available from:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/PandemicFlu
3. This guidance focuses on pandemic flu, but much of the advice here would also be good practice for reducing the spread of other viral infections.
When should this guidance be put into practice?
4. You should read the guidance now and make any preparations that need to be made well in advance of a pandemic. While much of the guidance would not need to be implemented until there is a pandemic, some previous preparation – supplies of materials, raising awareness – will help you to be ready to respond to a pandemic.
5. You will be advised by the Scottish Government via your local authority and the media if the World Health Organisation changes the pre-pandemic "phase", the alert level that they use to guide worldwide planning. You should then review your plans.
Guidance
What is Pandemic Influenza (Flu)?
6. Flu is a familiar infection in Scotland, especially in the winter months. The illness caused by flu can be mild or severe, and at times lead to death. Some groups of people – older people, young children and people with certain health conditions – are generally more susceptible to flu, and each year people in those groups are encouraged to have a flu vaccination.
7. Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu as it occurs when a new flu
2
virus emerges into the human population and spreads readily and rapidly from person to person worldwide. There were three pandemics during the past century occurring in 1918-19, in 1957 and in 1968.
8. As it will be a new virus, the entire population will be susceptible because nobody will have any immunity to it. Therefore healthy adults as well as the elderly, young children and people with existing medical conditions will be affected. The lack of immunity in the Scottish (and UK) population will mean that the virus has the potential to spread very quickly between people. In comparison with seasonal flu, many more people could become severely ill and many more could die.
9. Experts advise that a virus with pandemic potential could emerge soon, though this is not certain. People should, however, start planning now.
What are the signs and symptoms of influenza?
10. You should familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of flu. Looking out for the onset of influenza for yourself and the children in your care can help decide what action to take. The symptoms of influenza are:
Most significant | Other |
• Fever • Cough and / or shortness of breath • Sudden onset of symptoms
|
• Aching muscles • Sore throat • Runny nose, sneezing • Loss of appetite • Headache • Malaise (lethargy, listlessness) • Chills
|
