Mild Illness Guidance

Mild illness guidance

We know that winter is one of the peak times for adults and children to come down with mild illnesses such as colds, coughs and sore throats.

Education is arguably the single most important factor in reducing inequalities, and poor school attendance can negatively impact a child’s future both socially and developmentally, as well as through reduced educational achievement.

We'd like to remind you about the importance of school but also provide some key attendance information to help you as parents in making judgements about mild illness and whether to send your child to school:

Below is a link directly to the NHS mild illness guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea and vomiting are common. They're often caused by a stomach bug and should stop in a few days. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily

Stay off school or work until you've not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

Do

stay at home and get plenty of rest
drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they're being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
eat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
take paracetamol if you're in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child

Don’t

do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
do not give aspirin to children under 16