PARENTS WARNED ON FLU BUG

The advice follows reported cases of suspected flu among children and staff in 38 East Sussex schools in the days leading up to half-term. The main symptoms were headaches, backache, fever, sore throat and tiredness but some pupils also suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea.

Letters advising parents of the symptoms and the need to keep ill children at home were sent out via schools last week.

The message is being repeated this week to reduce the likelihood of the infection recurring when schools reopen next week after the half-term break.

"The flu-like illness affected over 3,000 pupils and staff in East Sussex schools and it's important any child who's been ill over the holiday does not return to school until they've been well for 48 hours," says Dr Angela Iversen, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control and Director of the HPA's local unit.

She adds: "There's been a recent national increase in cases of influenza B in schools and we have evidence of influenza B in East Sussex. This is a milder form of infection than influenza A and most school-aged children recover in five to seven days. But it is important parents also watch out for signs that their child may have developed a bacterial infection or another serious illness. If a child's illness does get worse parents should seek advice from their GP practice or NHS Direct on 0845 4647."