We already know that children are at a higher risk of contracting the deadly, so-called ‘Aussie’ flu.
The HSE, for example, has issued a warning to parents highlighting that those aged between five and 14 are most likely to contract the virus.
With 70 people hospitalised over the Christmas period, it has been linked to the deaths of around ten people in Ireland – and more than 300 in Australia.
Parents are also being told to keep an eye on their children for symptoms similar to the normal flu, only more severe.
However, with schools set to return after the holidays on Monday, January 8, many mums and dads are concerned that clear advice on the current outbreak hasn’t been communicated.
As Labour Party spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly, highlighted: “We have heard warnings from the Clinical Director at Temple Street Children’s Hospital that the current virus has not yet peaked, who has also expressed concern that a flu outbreak could occur when schools re-open.
“Parents should be advised on what to look out for, and the Departments of Health And Education need to issue clear advice on this issue immediately so that it is comprehensively circulated over the weekend.”
He added: “The health service is already stretched to capacity at the moment with several hundred people waiting for a hospital bed, and every effort must be made before schools re-open next week to prevent further pressure being piled on the system.”
And the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on Children, Councillor Jennifer Whitmore, furthermore said over the weekend: “Many parents I have spoken to over the past week are concerned about how the return to school will impact on their children’s health.”
She continued: “The HSE has said it expects a leap in the numbers of people with flu when schools go back. The most recent HSE Influenza Surveillance Report, published on 4th January 2018, shows that there was an increase in influenza like illnesses in all age groups in the last two weeks of 2017.
“The highest rates were reported in the 0-4 year age group. Many of these pre-school children are likely to have siblings of school going age, and some may also be attending crèches.”
Regular flu should run through your system within a week, however, if your symptoms persist for more than seven days, check with your doctor to ensure you haven’t contracted the Aussie strain of the virus.
Aussie flu can lead to pneumonia and other potentially fatal complications, and initial symptoms to look out for include:
- Sore throat and cough
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Runny nose and sneezing
