Public health: news and campaigns

Think Pharmacy First

Did you know that Pharmacies can now offer NHS clinical appointments with medication available if required for four clinical conditions particularly relevant to school age children?

• Earache (Children aged 1-17)
• Sore Throat (over 5s)
• Infected Insect bites (Over 1s)
• Impetigo (Over 1s)

Visit your local pharmacy for more information.

To find a local pharmacy see: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

Diabetes UK have re-launched the 4 T’s campaign to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children & young people. This is especially important currently when people may delay or avoid seeking medical advice or treatment because of social distancing measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The early signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are easy to mistake for a viral infection or other illness, which is why it’s so important to be 4T aware.

What are the 4Ts?

• toilet - going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies
• thirsty - being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst
• tired - feeling more tired than usual
• thinner - losing weight or looking thinner than usual

Please seek urgent/same day medical advice if your child or young person has any of these symptoms to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.

This guidance is for ALL schools in Hertfordshire, providing you with information that can help you to ensure children are eating healthily during the school day, enabling them to have the energy and focus required to do well academically and to stay happy and healthy.

Flu is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is most common during the winter months.

People often describe colds as flu, but symptoms of flu come on very suddenly and are much more severe than a cold.

Flu symptoms are:

• a high fever
• shivering
• headache
• an aching body; and extreme tiredness

How is flu spread?

Flu is caught through droplets of saliva that spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then be breathed in by other people or they can be picked up by touching surfaces, toys and equipment where the droplets have landed.

Children of 2, 3 and 4 years are now routinely offered flu vaccination.  Pilot vaccination programmes for school aged children are taking place in some parts of the country.

Why are some children of school age offered flu vaccine?

If children suffer from certain types of illness then catching flu can be serious. These children may not be able to fight off ‘flu as effectively as other children can or it might make their existing condition worse.

These conditions include:

severe asthma, diabetes and heart conditions and children who are immunosuppressed.

If you know of children in your school who suffer from these conditions please be aware that they are especially vulnerable and encourage them to seek advice on ‘flu vaccination from their GPs.

Good hand hygiene by all is a great way of preventing most infection!