THE UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West is reminding parents and carers of the simple steps they can take to ensure their children make the healthiest start to this school term after the Christmas break.

The new year brings with it an opportunity to teach children about the importance of good hygiene and with the recent increase in cases of flu and high levels of other respiratory viruses such as COVID and RSV as well as Norovirus, it’s more important than ever.

The latest surveillance data from UKHSA shows that flu activity continued to increase over the Christmas break, with hospitalisations also increasing.

Flu is now circulating at high levels in the community, an increase on the levels we saw before the school holidays, which is why it’s especially important to reinforce good hygiene habits as children return to school.

Figures are expected to rise further as children go back to school and many parents return to the workplace. However, there are simple steps that all families can take to reduce the spread of these infections and protect households and classrooms from illness this New Year.

Teaching good hygiene habits

Parents are encouraged to lead by example and encourage good hygiene habits such as using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, as well as washing hands. Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser when convenient, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Alcohol gels don’t kill all bugs so don’t rely on these.

Knowing when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school

January marks the start of a new term, with new things to learn and friends to make. Time off school can disrupt learning and also be an inconvenience for parents and carers having to stay off work.

This is why it’s important to know when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school. Children can stay in school with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough if otherwise well and do not have a high temperature but should stay home if they’re displaying symptoms such as having a fever.

If your child has diarrhoea and vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up.

If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others. If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, you should consider wearing a face covering.

Stopping the spread of stomach bugs

Stomach bugs spread easily in schools, nurseries and households. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting, washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading.

Alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and warm water is best. Don’t prepare food for others if you have diarrhoea or vomiting or for 48 hours after symptoms stop.

If you are unwell, you should also avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection to those who are more vulnerable. Do not to return to school, nursery or work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

Getting vaccinated

Flu vaccination helps to protect against infection and severe disease. Although it is late in the programme, if you are eligible and not yet vaccinated – do still take up your offer of immunisation.

Last year, falling vaccination rates among young children resulted in a widespread measles outbreak in England, which is why it’s important to check your children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, which protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and polio.

If parents are unsure of their child’s vaccination status, they can check their child’s red book or contact their local GP.

If you are pregnant, it’s also important that you take up all vaccinations offered to you, including the whooping cough and the new RSV vaccine which protects newborn babies against serious illness.

Dr Alasdair Wood, Consultant in Health Protection for UKHSA South West, added: “It’s an important time of year, as children get started on the new term after the Christmas break. There are simple steps parents and carers can take to protect their children against nasty illness in the next few weeks of Winter.

“Illness can strike at any point, which is why we’re encouraging parents to encourage good hygiene habits and get vaccinated to minimise disruption.

“At the end of 2024, we saw increasing numbers of measles cases in the South West, with a number of schools affected.

“Measles is highly infectious – it can be very dangerous for vulnerable people including pregnant women, children under 1 year old and immunocompromised individuals.

“It’s never too late to have the vaccine, so if you or your child has not received two doses of the vaccine in the past – or you’re unsure – speak to your GP. There’s no harm in receiving an additional dose where there is any uncertainty.

“We’re also asking everyone to remain alert to the symptoms of measles, which can include cold-like symptoms, sore red eyes, a high temperature or a red-brown blotchy rash.

“If you experience these symptoms seek medical attention, but be sure to phone ahead before you visit your GP surgery so arrangements can be made to prevent others from being infected.”