Winter Illness update from UKHSA

 

 

Dear Parent/Carer

Diarrhoea & Vomiting and Flu-like illness at Bishop Challoner Catholic College

This letter is to advise you that diarrhoea and vomiting illness which is present in the community at this time of the year is also circulating at the school. There have also been a number of children unwell with a flu-like illness. We are following advice from UKHSA on managing the outbreak including increasing cleaning throughout the school.

We would be very grateful for the support of parents/carers in helping us reduce the spread of the infections. If your child has symptoms of diarrhoea and or vomiting, please keep them at home until 48 hours after they are feeling better. During this time, they should not mix with other children outside the home or visit local venues. Norovirus is commonly known as Winter Vomiting Disease and often occurs in the community and in schools and nurseries at this time of the year.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have confirmed that flu and other respiratory illness are circulating as is common during this time of the year.

Please be reassured that most children who become unwell will have a mild illness and will recover at home without needing treatment. However, if your child has an underlying medical condition and becomes severely unwell with flu-like symptoms (fever of 38oC or greater with cough, sore throat, runny nose, limb/joint pain or headache) or has problems breathing please, ring your GP or NHS 111 for further advice.

The information leaflets below from the UKHSA provides some useful information on both illnesses.

 

Yours sincerely

Bishop Challoner Catholic College

 

Winter Illnesses