This time of the year, as we head toward winter and with children mixing again at school, always leads to a rise in illnesses such as colds and flu.  Here’s a few pointers on how to keep everyone healthy this autumn term:

• Good hygiene habits – encourage your children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and running water, use tissues (or the crook of the elbow) to catch coughs and sneezes, and let fresh air into your home. The e-bug resources for all ages can help you to explain and discuss hygiene habits, and why they are important, to your child.
• Know when to keep your child at home – they can go to school with a minor cough or cold, but if they have a fever they should stay at home until it’s resolved and they feel better.  While testing for COVID isn’t generally necessary, if they do test positive, they should stay off school for 3 days after the day they took their test and return then, if well enough and no fever.  If they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, they should stay off until 48 hours after the last episode.
• Know the signs of common illnesses:
  • Scarlet fever – includes sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, a bumpy rash on the chest and tummy with a sandpaper-like feel, flushed cheeks and ‘strawberry tongue’. If you suspect your child has scarlet fever, contact your local GP. Stay away from nursery or school until 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics.
  • Measles  – like those for a cold (runny nose; a cough; sneezing; a high temperature; and red, sore, watery eyes), followed by white spots in the mouth a few days later, and by a rash on the face and body a few days after that. It’s very unlikely to be measles if your child has had both doses of the MMR/MMRV vaccine or they’ve had measles before. If your child has the symptoms of measles and has not had both doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine, they should not attend school until 4 days after their rash started.
  • Chickenpox  – an itchy, spotty rash anywhere on the body.  There may also be a high temperature, aches and pains and a loss of appetite.
• Ensure your child is up to date with vaccinations – vaccinations offer the best protection against childhood illnesses like measles, and general illnesses like flu.  Check you child’s red book or call your GP if unsure, and keep an eye out for consent forms for the flu vaccine from the school or NHS.

More detailed information is available here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/28/a-guide-to-keeping-kids-healthy-this-school-year-for-parents-and-carers/

If in doubt, call the school office on 01952 387720 for advice.

Kind regards

Health Protection Hub