Flu cases are higher than this time last year.
Parents are being urged to keep their children out of school if they’re displaying flu symptoms.
The warning comes after a concerning rise in flu cases across Ireland.
Cases have surged amongst children under the age of five, but medical experts fear the worst is yet to come.
The virus tends to spread easily in places like schools and creches, especially when it comes to younger children.
They’re not aware of washing their hands, share a lot of toys, and don’t practice hygiene etiquette because they’re too young to understand. This means influenza spreads rapidly.
Parents have been advised to keep their children out of creche and school if they’re unwell.
People suffering from the flu tend to display the following symptoms; a fever, a runny nose, cough, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and extreme weakness.
Children may also feel nauseous and may trouble sleeping.
Speaking to The Irish Sun, Dr. Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, said;
“We’re urging parents in particular not to be caught out as rates of hospitalizations and ICU admissions are currently rising fastest in children under 5.
“This will be a concern for many parents and carers of young children, and we urge them to take up the offer of vaccination for eligible children as soon as possible.”
Children and young people aged between 2 and 17 years can get the nasal flu vaccine for free.
Read more about the free flu vaccine here.
