Dear Parent
Update on Swine Flu Pandemic
Here is some further information pertaining to swine flu pandemic, along with some numbers and hyperlinks you may find useful.
In the majority of cases of swine flu the disease is generally mild and most people make a quick recovery but it is also proving severe in a small minority of cases.
The typical symptoms of swine flu are:
• A high temperature (38 degrees C/100.4 degrees F or above).
• A sudden cough or shortness of breath.
Other symptoms may include:
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Chills
• Aching muscles
• Limb or joint pain
• Diarrhoea or stomach upset
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Loss of appetite
Increasingly cases will not be ‘confirmed’ by laboratory testing. Instead, diagnoses will be made by clinical judgment based on symptoms.
This is currently through the National Pandemic Flu Service, General Practitioners and NHS Direct.
Parents of pupils with suspected swine flu are advised to contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100 or at: www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu
Certain groups are advised to contact their doctor rather than contacting the National Pandemic Influenza Service.
These are:
• People with a serious underlying illness
• Pregnant women
• Children under one year of age
• People whose condition suddenly gets worse
• Those whose condition is still getting worse after seven days (five days for a child).
Advice for pregnant women
Pregnancy does not increase the chances of getting swine flu. The majority of pregnant women who catch swine flu will make a full recovery with no complications. However, some pregnant women who get the swine flu virus may develop complications of the infection (including pneumonia) that could put their own and their baby’s health at risk.
Pregnant women should avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of swine flu.
As swine flu is widespread in the community, the school environment should not present a greater risk to pregnant women. It is important for pregnant women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of flu so that they can seek early medical advice or assessment and, if indicated, treatment.
Specific advice for pregnant women can be found at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu.
Vaccination will help to reduce the risk of infection both for the individual and for those around them, reduce risk of flu complications and reduce the need for antiviral medicines.
A new vaccine has been produced to combat the 2009 swine flu pandemic strain. Up-to-date information (including which groups are to receive the vaccination) is available from:
www.immunisation.nhs.uk and http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/InformationandGuidance....
Yours faithfully
Mr T Watson
Assistant Headteacher
