Swine Flu information

I am writing to let you know that four pupils at the nursery are suspected to have

swine flu. They are being treated at home and are expected to recover well.

Following advice from NHS Bath and North East Somerset and the Health Protection

Agency, the nursery will remain open and operating as usual. This is in line with updated national guidance, which also recommends that preventative antiviral drugs are no longer routinely offered to large groups of nursery pupils.

This approach has been adopted because as swine flu starts to circulate more freely in the local community, people may be exposed the virus outside nursery, or as soon as they have finished a course of drugs.

The most important advice we have been given is that children who have symptoms of flu-like illness should stay away from nursery until they have recovered and are free of symptoms. This is to avoid spreading the infection as much as possible.

You can check any symptoms online at www.nhs.uk or call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 - 1 - 513 - 513. If you are still concerned, stay at home and call your GP, who may suggest a course of anti-viral drug treatment. This is designed to reduce the symptoms and help a quicker recovery.

If your doctor does advise anti-viral treatment for a child, please let the nursery know as soon as possible.

It’s important to point out that the vast majority of people who have swine flu make a quick recovery at home. However, you should do what you can to prevent the infection from being spread to others by ensuring your family take some simple precautions:

 Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue

when possible.

 Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

 Washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of

the virus from your hands to your face or to other people.

 Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal

cleaning product.

 Making sure your children follow this advice.