Devon parents urged to keep unwell children home as winter illnesses rise

Parents and carers across Devon are being reminded to keep children at home if they are unwell, as health officials report increased levels of flu and winter illnesses in schools.

Public Health Devon says there have been higher-than-usual levels of flu among pupils and staff this winter, with more outbreaks reported to health professionals.

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Families are being encouraged to follow NHS guidance to help reduce the spread of infection and protect vulnerable people in the community.

Dr Radha Modgil, NHS GP and broadcaster, said parents often face difficult decisions when deciding whether a child is well enough to attend school.

“Parents and carers understandably want to make sure their child is well enough for school and that they’re not passing any illness or infection onto classmates,” she said. “It can sometimes be difficult to know when to send them in or keep them at home.

“The NHS has some really useful guidance to help. It’s usually fine to send your child to school if they have mild cold symptoms, such as a runny nose or slight cough, as long as they don’t have a high temperature and are otherwise well.”

However, health officials say there are times when children should stay at home to prevent infections spreading. This includes:

• Fever: Children should stay at home until their temperature has returned to normal
• Diarrhoea or vomiting: Children should remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped

Steve Brown, Director of Public Health for Devon, said keeping unwell children at home helps protect both pupils and the wider community.

“We know children are keen to return to school after the holidays, but if they are unwell with a high temperature, diarrhoea or vomiting, it’s important they stay at home until symptoms have passed,” he said. “This helps prevent the spread of illness and also supports a quicker recovery.”

Parents are also being reminded to encourage good hygiene habits, including regular handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.

Vaccination continues to play a key role in protecting families during winter, with the NHS saying the flu vaccine helps reduce the spread of illness and protects those most at risk.

Children aged two and three, as well as school-aged children, are eligible for the free flu vaccine. The nasal spray vaccine is quick, painless and effective.

Catch-up clinics are available for children who missed their school vaccination, and parents can contact the School Immunisation Service on 01392 342678 for more information. 

Parents of two and three-year-olds can also book an appointment through their GP or local pharmacy.