Would you do it?

[craig7501]

Swine flu has affected a number of schools in Lancashire but parents are advised to send their children in as normal.
Health protection chiefs have revealed they have been inundated with calls from concerned parents seeking advice about whether to send their child to school if there have been cases of swine flu.

Experts say schools are being advised to stay open as closing them will not curtail the spread of swine flu.

Swine flu has moved from a containment stage to a treatment stage and GPs are now responsible for diagnosing people with swine flu if they feel they show the symptoms.

Before, anyone suspected as having swine flu was swabbed and tested before being diagnosed and treated for the illness.

But now, everyone showing flu-like symptoms is being treated as if it is swine flu.

This, together with the increasing spread of the disease, has led to greater numbers of people being diagnosed with swine flu.

One of the Preston schools hit by cases of swine flu is St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, on St Austin's Place, Avenham, Preston.

Deputy head John Entwistle told the Lancashire Evening Post that letters had gone out to parents telling them what to do if they suspect their child has swine flu and giving them hygiene advice to prevent swine flu.

He said: "We have had a few parents talking to us about their concerns, but there is no mass panic about this and parents seem happy with the way the school is dealing with the issue.

"The school is open as normal and we are following the guidance set down by the Health Protection Agency and the Local Education Authority."

Health chiefs advise that any person diagnosed with swine flu should stay off school or work until they are completely recovered and for a minimum of seven days, but for other members of the family who have no symptoms to go to school or work as normal.

Dr John Astbury, consultant in communicable diseases at the Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Agency, said: "We have been snowed under with calls from parents.

"Our advice is for schools to stay open. There is no point closing them as it will not affect the spread of swine flu."

[shezz]

Craig it cant be contained no longer, schools around my way has it and the estate just across the road is rife with it


there's no where to hide now

[yorkiesauctions]

Dr John Astbury, consultant in communicable diseases at the Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Agency, said: "We have been snowed under with calls from parents.

"Our advice is for schools to stay open. There is no point closing them as it will not affect the spread of swine flu."

No question, I'd keep my daughters at home. I'm not overly worried about Swine flu, I think most of it is media generated hype, but why take the risk?. I wouldn't put my daughters at risk in any other circumstances so I don't see why I should put them at risk by sending them to a school where I know there have been cases of the virus.

It's all good and well the authorities saying that shutting the school won't affect the spread of the virus but as a parent my immediate concern would be with my daughters well being and not whether or not the virus is spreading.

[FairMaiden]

I wonder what happens if the schools / colleges are closed during O / A level times ?

[sidthelamp]

Craig if your child or children have a underlying illness that could be made worse if they caught swine flue then id advise keeping them at home.

[yorkiesauctions]

I wonder what happens if the schools / colleges are closed during O / A level times ?

Oo! Deja Vu !

[FairMaiden]

Oo! Deja Vu !

Must have been another Ebid glitch

[craig7501]

I was going to enrol my daughter into nursey this week, but because of swine flu I decided its better on her health not to bother.

[kengillam]

Since Swine flu is spread by interaction with people, surely if a case is in a school getting pupils to still attend is a surefire way of getting it spread about. What happened to basic quarantine procedures. If it is going to be fairly widespread amongst the poulation staying away from concentrations of people would seem to be the logical way to try and avoid infection.

[ladynuttiepig]

last wk one of the kids from one of my kids school got it
now tonight anther latter one of the teachers have it

if my kid was young like yours l would keep at home
as l would be warred